Video: 'Building a Nation's Capital: Washington D.C. | The B1M'

(Friday, July 16, 1790) — U.S. President George Washington today signed the Residence Act into law, establishing a site along the Potomac River as the District of Columbia and the future site of the capital of the United States.

The move came after the bill was narrowly approved on July 1 by the Senate, 14 to 12, and on July 9 by the House, 32 to 29.

At the same time, plans were made to move the national capital from New York to Philadelphia until the Potomac River site could be completed.