District of Columbia - The US Explained 

The next state I'll be covering in The US Explained is Vermont! To all my subscribers from Vermont, please reply to fill me in on what I need to know about your home state, such as unique food, traditions, places, some fun facts and local dialects and pronunciations! I can't promise everything will make it into the video, but I will try my best, and I'm looking forward to getting started!

The fact that D.C could fit in Rhode Island only 17 times just makes me realize how tiny Rhode Island is.

I moved earlier this year to DC. It’s so awesome to walk past all the amazing architecture, but my god is it so hot and humid.

I have so many great memories of growing up in and around DC and never let the time I was shot in a carjacking affect my love for both the city and the people. Two weeks later with the bullet still buried in my shoulder I went back to work driving for a courier company. My father worked downtown and still lives nearby as it's the only city he's known since coming to the US in the 60s. Always something fun to do no matter how much money you have. Another great unique video my friend and I see you at a million very soon.

Carter I broke my leg and ribs in an auto accident and your videos are helping me feel less trapped by having to stay home to heal. Thank you!

I went to grad school in DC, and I always think DC is an incredibly beautiful city, as long as you never pick up a newspaper. I was in grad school for journalism; I found out the hard way

I really enjoyed this video, and was surprised to learn that Washington was a separate city originally from Georgetown and Cities in Virginia. It now makes sense to me!

A common misconception, L' Enfant did not model Washington after Paris. If anything, it would be a more credible statement to say Paris was modeled after Washington. The person most responsible for the sweeping and grand Boulevards, monuments placed at key hubs etc,. of Paris was Georges-Eugène Haussmann and undertaken from 1853 to 1870 during the rule of Napoleon III (hence the ubiquity of bridges with "N" as stone reliefs).. It is far more likely that L' Enfant modeled Washington after Karlshrue, Germany, whose design of criss-crossing diagonal Roads overlaying a grid network was as much to maximize artillery sight lines as it was to provide beautiful vistas.

You're so good at these buddy, I always learn something new about each place you cover. If there's anything you need/want to know about Kentucky, I will gladly try my best to help out. It's coming up really soon, #16! 👏👍

great stuff! as a DC based video production company, this hit home. great job.

Great video! One huge correction. Maryland was NOT a border state by choice. Lincoln sent federal troops to SURROUND the statehouse in Annapolis to barr them from voting to secede. Proslavery sentiment was strong in Maryland and it sat beneath the Mason Dixon line and Lincoln knew if it fell the capitol would be surrounded by the Confederacy. Fury about Lincoln's move was so fierce a verse in the Maryland state song decries Lincoln as a tyrant. That verse wasn't removed until a few decades ago.

One fun quirk of the DC border and the Retrocession is based around the southern corner, located at Jones Point in Alexandria. The border stone still sits there, but because of the land being reclaimed by Virginia, the actual southern corner is in the Potomac just nearby. Coupled with Virginia controlling a narrow slice of the river in that area, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on I-95 and I-495 ends in Alexandria, VA and National Harbor, MD, but for a small portion over the river passes through this tiny corner of DC. I never lived in the DC area proper, but I did live for the first 25 or so years of my life only a couple hours away up the Potomac in WV's Eastern Panhandle, so I've been to the area a decent handful of times. One time I even got there by train from Martinsburg, so I had a rare experience with proper public transit in the US. ...Unfortunately the Amtrak line there is a bit run down and the first train stalled shortly into the trip, so we all had to cross to another train that came to take us the rest of the way to Union Station. Ended up a bit later to the convention than I intended, but not a huge deal all in all. And the DC Metro has always been just fine in my experiences, mainly the Red Line from Rockville to the city center. Great video, glad I'm caught up on this excellent series before WV or CO are up!

There's a 3rd part of DC outside of downtown and the area of townhouses and apartments. There are incredibly expensive neighborhoods of 3-5 bedroom homes west along the river in Georgetown before you get to Chevy Chase or Potomac. Prices range from $2M-$5M for houses that would be $800k-$2.5M across the river in Virginia. Maybe at most, 2300 square feet with at most an acre of land. That was when I was in high school in the early 2010s, I imagine they're more expensive now.

Always found it odd they didn’t re take the Virginia side of the District after the civil war

Great overview of an extremely interesting city. Thanks!

I'm proudly DMV born and raised, great video as always Carter! Neither myself nor any of my family work for the Feds. People love to trash DC but it is an incredible place and it should be a state imo. Giving DC back to Maryland would be like giving Cincinnati to Kentucky, it just doesn't make any sense.

I'm so happy you are making these videos again. I love them so much!!

My name is William 'Smokey' Jackson as a 2014 Washington post featured tour guide, Local DC Circulator Bus Operator, & Native Washingtonian (Born DC General; 1991, Raised; East of the River, and Educated; The Duke Ellington School of the Arts cls 2010), I would just like to say thank you for representing my hometown in your series with such unique dedication and unbridled support for the history of the black community and our contributions to the Nations Capitol. However i have just 2 criticisms... I would have love for you to have mentioned the Contributions of 'The Mayor for life' Marion Barry, and its pronounced MUM(mumble)-bo sauce. Other than that thank you very much for showing we are more than politicians, we are a culture and a lifestyle! 😍💯

Born in DC and live here!! This was a good video!!! Yes you left out Benjamin Banneker and didn't really mention any mayoral scandals 👀🤣

When you said that their motto was “No taxation Without Representation” & you showed their license plate which reads “Taxation Without Representation” as the people living in DC are being being taxed although they are not allowed to vote for Senators or Congressmen or women.

Bravo for a fabulous video! Probably the best I've seen so far in Washington DC (even compared to the Smithsonian sponsored history of Washington DC videos, which are also fabulous). That you could pack so much history into 45 minutes is a real accomplishment. This video deserves to be watched a few times.

Not sure why you forgot to mention Benjamin Banneker’s contribution to the L’Enfant plan of DC. He surveyed the land and made sure that the boundaries were in place.

Yet again nice job young man! Keep up the good work

18th century French city planning, 10/10. 21st century American city planning, 3/10. D.C. sounds really cool. Every US city should be like that.

The geometry of DC is beautiful. DC is beautiful. 🙏

It’s mumbo sauce not mambo sauce lol love you video I’m from Woodbridge/Manassas Virginia which is just south of DC so I’ve spent plenty of time in DC and know a lot about it and you got everything spot on

🎶Doing it in the park, Doing it after dark, oh yeah, Rock Creek Park Oh yeah, Rock Creek Park🎶

As someone who was raised in DC for some of her life, DC STATEHOOD NOW!!!!! Also I support Nova being added to the state

When it comes to matter, no one can beat Carter🤗 thanks for another gem of an addition 🤓

So exited to see the rest of episodes on other states hope you keep going till the end

Great job! As a long time resident of the DMV, I enjoyed it & it’s very accurate.

Seems like an awesome place. Mary T, my favorite artist grew up in Wesley Heights (NW) and still lives in the more bustling next-door neighborhood of Glover Park. I'd like to go visit all that one day.

As someone who is regarded as one of Washington DC top tour guides &, historians i have some corrections... Mainly The US capital and the White House are the only two buildings in DC that do not have an actual completion date The residency act set forth the date in which the federal government should be in place November 1st 1800 however with John Adams moved in the White House only had six finished rooms and when Congress moved into the old house chamber the Senate side was still being completed the dome was non-existent, and that only did they move the house into that chamber but they also move the Senate the library of Congress and the supreme Court all inside of the old house chamber November 1st 1800 because construction on those buildings haven't even began yet.

Another great piece of work!

He failed to mention that Washington, D.C. had a governor names Riggs. He was the first and only governor of D.C.

Been loving this series, thank you!!

Thanks, Carter for bringing up Mambo Sauce! My voice was heard! ♥!!!!!!!!

Fun fact : DC have the highest gdp per capita in the US and world DC have a gdp per capita of the quarter of million dollars and rising every year

You can live in the district of Columbia and not have a Washington address if you live in the military housing at Bolling Air Force Base. Your address is: Bolling AFB, DC.

I was born and raised in DC (Now called the DMV or DC metro area). It’s a small town with a big city mindset. It’s as beautiful as it is dangerous (Southeast or SE, DC). This was great! Very well done.

I was hoping you were going to say that Woodrow Wilson is the only president buried in Washington D.C. at the Washington National Cathedral.

My favorite U.S. city Great vibes!

DC is beautiful and amongst the best of US cities

I'm not understanding where you got the MSA population numbers from. DC hasn't been in the 4 million range since the 2000s. It's currently the 6th Largest MSA in the U.S. with 6.3 million people. I'm just curious to know where you got your population numbers from.

A long time ago Congress passed a law declaring that all buildings constructed in the District may NOT BE HIGHER THAN THE CAPITOL DOME.

This was awesome. I’ve haven’t visited the capital yet, but now I’m really looking forward to it 👍🏼

Thanks for another great video, Carter!

Douglass Commonwealth, that's pretty smart as it keeps DC.

That photo of the Washington coat of arms is taken from Selby Abbey in Yorkshire; you can see see the Washington Window today if you visit.

Just subscribed! You’re videos are so informative and straightforward to the point. Will be watching more… 😊

You did a great job, this from a DC native

I've lived in many regions of the US and DC is easily my favorite city here. I absolutely love living here. Walkability, endless (free) things to do, and it's a great place to raise a kid. East coast has better cities. West coast has better outdoor recreation.

Great info. Non biased and well informed.

I like Washington. It's an interesting place to visit. And I enjoyed this video.

13:00 gotta love that John Smith map

I love these and the fact that you don't use music.

Props to you for mentioning the unofficial city motto!!!! When you come back and edit to correct or add, can you add the unofficial song “Welcome To DC” by Mambosauce.

Bruh…. you did a fantastic job on this vid 👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽💯

Excellent. Thanks.

harsh winters no snow

I enjoyed this information you put together. Thanks.

***watches in Ward 7*** .

Dc & md my home ❤️

Very good. Almost got it all correct! @27:23

Was just binging this!! Love your work

Much learned, thanks.

Awesome content and great work

Well done, packed with info. 😊

Series idea, since you are doing all the states and territories etc, keep following the quarter series and do the parks next etc

Mind blown 🤯

Love DC! *everything but the national mall*

I plan on taking a trip to DC one of these days. I really want to go to the Smithsonian and see the Hope Diamond.

Baltimore and Washington DC are brother metro cities in Maryland

I wish I could afford to move, DC would be my first option💙💙💙

Just a small correction but Washington is an area in the city of Sunderland not Newcastle, interestingly americans named their cities after towns here, and we named towns here after American places, there is a town called Philadelphia near Washington uk

"If you live in Arlignton and wade out into the Potmac River, you'll be in DC. I mean, you'll also be radioactive and get 6 unique diseases, but you'll be in DC.' In all honestly, you stay up river from the city you're fine. We used to go off one of the GW parkway overlooks down to the water and jump from rope swings, and I kayaked in it quite a few times. But man, does it get gross after the Lee Highway bridge.

Now I'm only 23 min in and I've seen the mention of Peter Charles L'Enfant in the planning of the DISTRICT but Benjamin Banneker has been left out and I do believe that you are someone who has done extensive research but this MAJOR contributor & has been omitted. Yet the mention that Black folks were enslaved & built american structures is mentioned. Please elaborate on this that appears to be intentional omission

21:00 Nobody can “change history”. Only the present.

Washingtonian here. Dc is the only city you can be in and don’t know you in it. Unlike other cities, you can tell you entering a city because big buildings…. Dc you just get a welcome to dc sign. Very unique city.

A couple of things were wrong DC is 68.34 sq miles & the Black population is 46.9% there were some missing pieces but overall OK #DCORNOTHING

I was in Preschool for the DC Sniper and 9/11. My brother was in Kindergarten for the sniper and I remember him complaining about them cancelling recess because of it.

One question: How many neighborhoods are there in Washington, District of Columbia ?

Thanks!

As a Washingtonian , I oppose Statehood… I hope it never happens. And We have the most beautiful structures and museums in the world so of course we’re gonna pay a bit more in taxes and I can live with that tbh

People get DC flag tattooed too. (lol me included)

How are you and your team making these so fast!?

lots of pretty buildings, but I don't ever imagine going there. It will always be Mordor on the Potomac to me.

Thorough and enjoyable as your videos always are. I would have mentioned the effect on the city's black population of FDR abolishing racial discrimination with civilian federal employment. That created a huge black middle class in Washington and several suburbs. Today, the retires along them, as well as white retirees and 2nd generation embassy families give Washington and Md. and Va. outlying communities a great deal of diversity among the more financially secure. The loss of pensions and opportunities has harmed the prospects of the baby boomer and young adult generations in or heading for retirement. And the red lining you described created new generations of poverty.

Yay, I live in DC Metro

I'm a DC resident and found a few issues with this video. #1 -- The City of Washington's charter was repealed in 1871. In other words, there is no current City of Washington. It is only the District of Columbia. Residents do not usually refer to it as "Washington", but rather as "DC" or "The District." Additionally, the official demonym for a person who lives in DC is "DC resident." Sometimes "Washingtonian" is used informally, but we usually say "DC resident." Otherwise, it's a nice video. 🙂

19:28 - Kentucky was a pivotal state for the Civil War... it's government chose to remain with the Union, while it's people wanted to be with the confederacy. Had the government chose to secede, the war would have turned out much different, as Kentucky called up 57 full regiments during the Civil War, and is undeniably at a geographic location that would have cut off the Ohio River and crippled the Union.

DC? Love it, Superman, Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, The Flash, The Justice Society, the Teen Titans, some of the greatest stories ever to-....huh?...what's that?...oh the CITY! eh, it's aight.

An interesting take

Great work

Unpopular opinion but I think Washington should abolish the 130 feet tall building height limit. If residential buildings could be taller it could help eliminate gentrification in black neighborhoods and give Washington a downtown core. If statehood becomes a thing the city will need a memorable downtown outside the federal district so people don’t confuse the two.

Great....

It now has over 700,000 residents

I thought Carl Stokes was the first black mayor of a major city? I could be wrong. But still a very educational video 😊

Great video.

Statehood for the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Let’s add two more stars to the United States flag! (Estadidad para el Distrito de Columbia y Puerto Rico. Añadámos dos estrellas más a la bandera de Estados Unidos!)