If DC isn't a state, then what is it?

[AmyStrange]

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I’m almost half-baked (whatever that means), and was thinking about this secret PEAD thing.

It’s this kind of secret document that gives the President greater powers during a National emergency, but that just made me wonder about DC.

Is DC really even part of the US? If it’s not a state, then what the hell is it? They can vote, right, so it must be, but that still doesn’t explain what it is.

Is it a district, and how is that different than a territory? It must be different because none of those can vote.

I was gonna look it up, but I didn’t want to get distracted, and then I remembered you guys!

Everyone here is so smart and so kind and so good and is this enough, or do you want me to go on?

Anyway, smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.
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[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. It's the District of Columbia.

I have no idea if it's referred to in the Constitution. Probably not. Back when it came into existence the understanding was that there really wouldn't be much of a permanent population, so things like voting and representation were irrelevant. Oh, and it's somewhat worthwhile knowing that in the beginning the District of Columbia included as much of Virginia as it took from Maryland. The Wiki article is somewhat useful.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boundary_markers_of_the_original_District_of_Columbia

[AmyStrange]

2. Thanks

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I think?

Making me look things up.

You are such a tyrant!

And I mean that in the nicest way possible.

Crap, I almost wanna vomit after that one...

Anyway, where the hell are my reading glasses?
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[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. LOL!

I likewise frequently have trouble finding my reading glasses.

[AmyStrange]

7. They're hard to find...

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when I'm not wearing them.

One time, I swear to God, I looked for an hour, but then realized they were on the top of my head.

How can my brain get away with shit like that?
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[AmyStrange]

3. Wait a minute. How can it be a District of something that doesn't exist?

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Where is this Columbia place anyway?
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[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. Don't take my word for it.

Here's the Wikipedia article. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.

[AmyStrange]

6. I believe you, but it stll makes me wonder...

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where the hell Columbia is, and why don't they just call it Columbia if there is none.

Then, they can just take that little area around the WH and call that the District of...

That would make more sense to me.

Anyway, sorry, but it just nags the fuck out of me.
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[Wicked Blue]

10. South America

[Chainfire]

8. A neutral embassy in the heart of a hostile nation. ;)

[AmyStrange]

9. Trump neutral? Ha ha ha ha ha ha

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Sorry, but thanx for the laugh!
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[elleng]

11. The signing of the Residence Act on July 16, 1790, approved the creation of a capital district

located along the Potomac River near the country's East Coast. The U.S. Constitution provided for a federal district under the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress, and the district is therefore not a part of any U.S. state. The states of Maryland and Virginia each donated land to form the federal district, which included the pre-existing settlements of Georgetown and Alexandria. The City of Washington was founded in 1791 to serve as the new national capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land originally ceded by Virginia, including the city of Alexandria; in 1871, it created a single municipal government for the remaining portion of the district.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.