Federalist (nationalist) President John Adams signs the first District of Columbia Incorporation Act, dividing the federal district into counties: Washington County on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, and Alexandria County on the Virginia side. The act also creates courts and a constabulary, and leaving the municipal charters of Alexandria and Georgetown intact.
[updated 8/15/2026] Thanks to Freedoms Phoenix for this entry.
Subsequent Events:
Authority:
Article I, Section 8 [Clause 17]
ccc-2point0.com/constitution-for-the-united-states
References:
The District of Columbia Act of 1781[sic].doc
www.freedomsphoenix.com/Article/085394-2011-03-09-the-district-of-columbia-act-of-1781.htm?From=News
The Changing Face of DC Governance — League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia
www.lwvdc.org/the-changing-face-of-dc-governance
District of Columbia home rule – Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_home_rule#History_of_self-government
Current U.s. National Debt:
