Photo of the Day – February 23, 2010

The U.S. Capitol is at the East End of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.  It sits atop Capitol Hill.  The meeting place for U.S. Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government.

The word “Capitol” means city on a hill in latin so Capitol Hill is a little redundant. Which is seems fitting. Pierre Charles L’Enfant was giving the taks of creating the city plan for the new capital city. L’Enfant chose Jenkins Hill as the site for theCapitol building. Thomas Jefferson in reviewing L’Enfants plans insisted that the legislative building be called “Capitol” rather than Congress House.

Thomas Jefferson came up with the idea of a design competition for what the building would look like.  William Thornton submitted a drawing which garnered praise from George Washington for its “grandeur, simplicity and beauty” as well as from Thomas Jefferson.

The senate wing was completed in 1800 and the house wing in 1811.  Though the Capitol was not completed yet, it held its first session of congress on November 17, 1800.  On August 24, 1814, the Capitol was partially burned by the British.  Reconstruction began in 1815 and was completed in 1819.  Construction continued through to 1864 with the addition of the center rotunda and the first capitol dome.