1. On January 13, 1808, the construction of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. was completed. The building, designed by architect William Thornton, took nearly 33 years to finish after its design was first approved in 1793.

2. In 1866, the District of Columbia became the first American jurisdiction to abolish slavery by enacting the Compensated Emancipation Act. The law provided for the release of all enslaved persons within the district and compensated slave owners for their loss of property.

3. On January 13, 1885, the Washington Monument was completed after nearly 40 years of construction. Standing at 555 feet tall, it remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in the District of Columbia.

4. In 1968, following the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., a wave of riots swept through many American cities, including Washington, D.C. Over a period of three days, businesses were destroyed and buildings were set on fire, resulting in widespread damage and dozens of deaths.

5. On January 13, 1982, a historic blizzard struck the District of Columbia, dumping nearly two feet of snow on the city and bringing everyday life to a standstill. Schools and businesses were closed for several days, and residents banded together to dig out their neighborhoods and help those in need.