Discover the Capital: Top 5 Amazing Fun Facts About Washington DC You Never Knew
1. Bicoastal Identity Crisis
In a perplexing case of bicoastal identity crisis, the United States capital spurned all norms and decided to crash halfway across the country: Washington D.C., established in 1791, is not only the seat of U.S. federal authority, but also a self-governing entity nestled between Maryland and Virginia on the East Coast—definitely not to be confused with the state of Washington on the West Coast!
Source => thoughtco.com
2. Skyscraping Stone Monument
If you thought you'd need a passport to visit the world's tallest stone structure, guess again, travelers: The Washington Monument stands proud in Washington D.C. at 555 feet tall, built with 36,000 blocks of marble and granite, and completed back in 1884.
Source => taxdepartment.gwu.edu
Did you know that Maryland single-handedly supplies half of the nation's blue crabs and a whopping 47 million pounds of fresh seafood annually? Discover the true "Claws of Production" and more fascinating facts!
=> Fun Facts about Maryland
3. Blooming Cherry Tree Dreams
Ever heard of a cherry on top? In Washington DC, it's more like thousands of them beautifully blooming by the waterfront! Sometimes all it takes is one persistent woman to create a nationwide spectacle: Mrs. Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore spent over 20 years lobbying for cherry trees to be planted in the city, and in 1912, Japan gifted the first batch to America as a sign of friendship. Now, over 3,000 cherry trees of twelve different varieties adorn the capital, cheering up bureaucrats and tourists alike with their stunning blossoms.
Source => nps.gov
4. Pedal-Powered Adventures
Pedal your troubles away, oh ye weary travelers: Washington D.C. is home to the Capital Bikeshare program, which boasts over 5,000 rentable bicycles and 700 stations, accommodating cycling enthusiasts and tourists with classic or electric options for as little as $1 to unlock and $0.05-$0.15 per minute, or with an all-inclusive annual membership for ceaseless 45-minute jaunts on a classic velocipede.
Source => capitalbikeshare.com
5. Buzzing Green Initiatives
Buzz off, lawn invaders: Washington D.C.'s Smithsonian Gardens has a Green Team dedicated to promoting sustainability and conservation, installing a bee-friendly lawn at the National Museum of Natural History, tagging Monarch Butterfly migrations, and implementing a healthy Soils Management Plan.
Source => gardens.si.edu