1. In 1789, the first Congress of the United States met in New York City, marking the beginning of the federal government. Although not in the District of Columbia at the time, it was a significant event for the future capital.

2. In 1814, during the War of 1812, British forces invaded Washington, D.C. and burned the Capitol building and the White House. This event had a significant impact on the development of the city in the years that followed.

3. In 1890, the National Cathedral School for Girls was founded in Washington, D.C. It is one of the oldest girls' schools in the country and has a rich history of providing a quality education to young women.

4. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. His speech emphasized the need for international cooperation and set the stage for his administration's foreign policy.

5. In 1986, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project was established in Washington, D.C. The project sought to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King by building a memorial in his honor on the National Mall. The memorial was completed in 2011 and has become a major tourist attraction in the city.