Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.
Reading Level

	edHelper's suggested reading level:	grades 6 to 8
	Flesch-Kincaid grade level:	7.38

Vocabulary

	challenging words:		pacify, tract, rivalry, intent, politics, federal, fairly, commission, capitals, temporary, tracts, survey, construct, construction, banks, broad
	content words:		United States, Founding Fathers, George Washington, New York City, Revolutionary War, York City, Continental Congress, New Jersey, Potomac River, Delaware River

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Washington, D.C.
By Jane Runyon

¹     The capital of the United States has not always been Washington, D.C.

²     At one time, our Founding Fathers met in Williamsburg, Virginia. There they discussed possible ways to keep the British taxes down. The Declaration of Independence was first read in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. George Washington became the nation's first president in New York City. During the Revolutionary War, the capital moved often. In 1777, there were four capitals; Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. One day after the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress was meeting in Philadelphia. A group of disgruntled revolutionary soldiers stormed their session and demanded the money they were owed for fighting in the war. Members of the Congress were so stunned, they left town and set up their meeting in Princeton, New Jersey. It was time to find a permanent home for the most important city in government. Congress decided to create a whole new town which they named "Federal town."

³     This may sound like a fairly easy task. Find a piece of land that has no buildings on it. Build a brand new town that has no ties to any special group. Move the government offices into this town. Nothing is that easy. As a matter of fact, it took almost forty-three years before a capital was complete.

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