USA - Washington D.C. - United States Capitol

UNITED STATES CAPITOL

WASHINGTON D.C.

Sent by Onetimezone from Washington D.C., USA.

The United States Capitol, often called the Capitol or the Capitol Building, is the seat of the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. It is located on Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Although no longer at the geographic center of the national capital, the U.S. Capitol forms the origin point for the street-numbering system of the district as well as its four quadrants. Like the principal buildings of the executive and judicial branches, the Capitol is built in a neoclassical style and has a white exterior.

Central sections of the present building were completed in 1800, when the 6th U.S. Congress convened there on November 17, 1800, moving the national capital from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.. The building was partly destroyed in the 1814 Burning of Washington by the British, then was fully restored within five years. The building was enlarged during the 19th century, by extending the wings for the chambers for the bicameral legislature as more states were admitted to the union, with the House of Representatives housed in the south wing and the Senate housed in the north wing. The massive dome was completed around 1866 just after the American Civil War. The east front portico was extended in 1958. The building's Visitors Center was opened in the early 21st century (read more).

USA - Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON DC
US Capitol, Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.

Sent by Ashlee, a postcrosser from Virginia, USA.

USA - Washington D.C. - Washington Cathedral

WASHINGTON D.C., USA.
The Washington Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenue.

Sent by Cindy, a WiP partner from Maryland, USA.

This is from Wikipedia : The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in the United States, and the fourth-tallest structure in Washington, D.C. The cathedral is the seat of both the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori as of 2011; and the Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, John Bryson Chane as of 2011. In 2009, nearly 400,000 visitors toured the structure. The congregation numbers 800.

The Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, under the first seven Bishops of Washington, erected the cathedral under a charter passed by the United States Congress on January 6, 1893. Construction began on September 29, 1907, when the foundation stone was laid in the presence of President Theodore Roosevelt and a crowd of more than 20,000, and ended 83 years later when the last finial was placed in the presence of President George H. W. Bush in 1990. Decorative work, such as carvings and statuary, is ongoing as of 2011. The foundation operates and funds the cathedral. In 2011, the cathedral was the recipient of $700,000 in federal funds as part of the Save America's Treasures program.

The cathedral stands at Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues in the northwest quadrant of Washington. It is an associate member of the Washington Theological Consortium. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2007, it was ranked third on the List of America's Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects.

USA - Washington D.C.

Fireworks on the east lawn sparkle in the night sky above George Washington's historic mansion at dusk.

Sent by Alicia, a postcrosser from Washington DC, USA.

USA - Washington D.C. - U.S. Capitol Building

WASHINGTON D.C.
U.S. Capitol Building.

Sent by Roger, a postcrosser from Washington D.C., USA.

This is from Wikipedia : The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the Federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall. Though not in the geographic center of the District of Columbia, the Capitol is the origin by which the quadrants of the District are divided. Officially, both the east and west sides of the Capitol are referred to as "fronts." Historically, however, only the east front of the building was intended for the arrival of visitors and dignitaries.

USA - Washington D.C. - Cherry Blossoms

The first cherry trees were planted by Helen Taft and Viscountess Chinida, wife of the Japanese ambassador, in West Potomac Park. Also planted are the trees taken from the "Usuzumi" cherry tree, declared a national treasure in Japan in 1922. Legend dates this tree to more than 1400 years old, planted by the 26th emperor of Japan.

Sent by Susan, a TravBuddy frined from Washington D.C. in USA.

USA - Greetings From Washington, District of Columbia

Another postcard sent by ducktapegurl (a Postcrossing Support Kit/Swap-Bot).