Washington, DC: Capital with a Capitol Quiz

Answer: Washington Monument

Construction on the Washington Monument began in 1848 but not finished until 1888 (construction was halted for over 20 years during the Civil War and Reconstruction). Designed by Robert Mills, it stands 555 feet tall and is the tallest stone structure (without steel support) in the world--it was briefly the tallest structure until the Eiffel Tower was completed.

The form of the structure is called an obelisk. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the structure each year.

Answer: Potomac River

The Potomac River flows for 405 miles before entering the Chesapeake Bay. From 1790 to 1846, the Potomac flowed through Washington, DC, before the Federal Government returned a portion of the District to Virginia's control. In general, the portion of the Potomac that borders Washington, DC, flows from the northwest to the southeast.

The James River lies close to Richmond, VA. The Delaware River lies close to Trenton, NJ. The Hudson River lies close to Albany, NY.

Answer: Eagles (NFL)

The Wizards (formerly the Bullets), the Capitals, and the Nationals (formerly the Montreal Expos) all have their home arena or ballpark in downtown Washington, DC. The Eagles are an NFL franchise in Philadelphia, PA, a few hours to the northeast. The Redskins are the NFL franchise for the Washington, DC, area, although their home field--FedEx Field--lies a few miles outside District limits in nearby Maryland.

Answer: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Designed by James Hoban, the White House was completed in 1800. John Adams was the first US President to live there. After receiving significant fire damage during the War of 1812, the home was repaired and painted white. During the Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, the name "White House" became official.

At different times, the home and grounds have included a putting green, swimming pool, and bowling alley.

Answer: Woodrow Wilson

The home was given to Woodrow Wilson and his wife Edith when they left the White House. The home became a National Historic Landmark in 1964, shortly after Edith's death. Located near Embassy Row, the home can be accessed by visitors. When I visited, the tour guide pointed out a baseball on the President's desk and talk about Wilson's interest in the sport.

Answer: Prince William County, VA

Prince William County lies about 20 miles south of Washington, DC, and includes Manassas, VA, site of two significant Civil War battles. Arlington County includes Arlington Cemetery and the Pentagon. Montgomery County lies to the northwest of Washington, DC, and Prince George's County lies to the east.

Answer: Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876, lies in Baltimore, MD, approximately one hour to the northeast. Georgetown University, founded in 1789, is the oldest university in Washington, DC. There are over a dozen additional universities in Washington, DC, including Gallaudet University and George Washington University.

Answer: Lincoln Memorial

The location of the speech was not accidental. Dr. King refers to Lincoln's connection with Civil Rights. The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in 1922, with Abraham Lincoln's son, Robert, in attendance. Visitors today can see a plaque on the ground marking where Dr. King stood when he delivered his 1963 speech.

Inside the monument one can see a larger than life statue of a seated Lincoln. The texts of the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address are on the interior walls.

Answer: Interstate 95

Interstate 95 runs from Maine to Florida. While the highway runs through several east coast US cities, it does not travel through Washington, DC, itself, but instead skirts the city to the east through nearby Prince George's County, MD. Interstate 495 runs from near College Park, MD to near Springfield, VA, making a loop around Washington, DC, on the north, west, and south.

Answer: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport lies in in nearby Arington, VA. Washington Dulles International Airport is on the border of Fairfax and Loudon Counties, VA. Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport lies in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. There is no Union Airport near Washington, DC, but Union Station is the city's main train station.