Video: 'Washington Places the First Cornerstone of the US Capitol Building'

(Wednesday, September 18, 1793, Washington and his Masonic entourage arrived in Federal City (District of Columbia) at 10:00 a.m. local time; during the United States Capitol cornerstone laying) — President George Washington, along with eight other Freemasons dressed in masonic regalia, laid the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol, the home of the legislative branch of American government, today atop Jenkins Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall in Federal City (District of Columbia).

Once Washington and his Masonic entourage crossed the Potomac River to arrive in Federal City (District of Columbia), they were joined by an escort consisting of the Alexandria Volunteer Artillery, and members of Masonic lodges from Virginia, Maryland, Georgetown, and Federal City.

They proceeded to the construction grounds approximately 1.5 miles away. At the site of the Capitol, Washington was received by Joseph Clark, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maryland.

A silver plaque, fashioned by Georgetown silversmith Caleb Bentley, was handed to Washington, who stepped into the foundation trench and placed the plaque, whereupon the cornerstone was lowered.

The plaque was inscribed with a brief tribute to the “military valor and prudence” of Washington, and dedicated the building in the “first year, of the second term, of the presidency of George Washington … and in the year of Masonry 5,793.”

Washington, accompanied by three Worshipful Masters carrying sacrifices of corn, wine, and oil, then struck the stone three times with a gavel, as prescribed by Masonic custom.

Video: 'The History of the United States Capitol'

Washington exited the trench to ritual chanting by the assembled Masons and a 15-gun salute (one gun for each U.S. state) from the Alexandria Volunteer Artillery.

Clark then delivered a short invocation, after which a 500-pound ox was slaughtered and roasted.

Central sections of the present building would be completed in 1800. These would be partly destroyed in the 1814 Burning of Washington, then were fully restored within five years.

The building would be enlarged in the 1850s by extending the wings for the chambers for the bicameral legislature, the House of Representatives in the south wing and the Senate in the north wing.

The massive dome would be completed around 1866 just after the American Civil War.

Like the principal buildings of the executive and judicial branches, the Capitol would be built in a neoclassical style and has a white exterior.

Both its east and west elevations would be formally referred to as fronts, although only the east front would be intended for the reception of visitors and dignitaries.