Designing Democracy: How Washington DC Reflects the Nation
Earlier this month, I spent three days in Washington, DC — the heart of the U.S. government and a city shaped by its ideals. From the solemn stillness of Arlington Cemetery to the imposing dome of the Capitol, I was struck by how deeply the city’s layout invites reflection on democracy, power, and public memory. Thanks to William for proofreading! Washington, DC, was made the nation’s capital on the 16th of July, 1790. It emerged from a place of compromise between the Northern and Southern states due to war debts from the Revolutionary War. The city was a crucial development for the national identity of the newly formed United States of America. The country was young and in need of proving itself to what was previously the most powerful Navy; as such, it required thoughtful development to mirror the strength of the organisation of this new country. Pierre Charles L’Enfant designed a baroque-style plan of the city in 1791 and established an innovative design that would later be mirror...