16 jul 1790 ano - U.S. President George Washington signs the Residence Act into law, establishing a site along the Potomac River as the District of Columbia and the future site of the capital of the United States. The move comes after the bill is narrowly approved on July 1 by the Senate, 14 to 12, and on July 9 by the House, 32 to 29.[4] At the same time, plans are made to move the national capital from New York to Philadelphia until the Potomac River site can be completed (Linha do tempo)