Happy Birthday, @barackobama.bsky.social ! We’re grateful you're a DC resident! Can you & Michelle please register to vote in DC, to spotlight our votelessness in Congress?
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On yesterday’s date in 1754–Pierre L'Enfant—AKA Peter the Kid—AKA "the man with the plan”—was born. He designed the plan for Washington as a federal capital. He’s buried outside Robert E. Lee's home—in Arlington Cemetery—overlooking the city he designed. Apologies for his Plaza!
MUST WATCH *11 years ago today* John Oliver ran his epic Last Week Tonight piece re: #DCStatehood Revel again in its genius: bit.ly/2hhxkV4 “Hey kids, do you want to sing a song about the 50 states & the inequities inherent in living in our Nation's Capital?"
Happy Birthday to former Ward 4 (2007-2014) Councilmember Muriel Bowser We've kind of lost track of her since she left the Council. What's she been up to? And to make things worse, we sent her a birthday card, but forgot to sign it Just kidding, Happy Birthday, Mayor Bowser!
On this date in 2022, we lost Dr. James Baldwin. He fought in Europe during WW2, returned to DC, attended Howard University, then served 20+ years in the DC govt, including in Mayor Walter Washington’s cabinet. He was a 65+ year Ward 7 resident. lims.dccouncil.gov/downloads/LI...
Happy Birthday to Charlene Drew Jarvis, who served as Ward 4 Councilmember from 1979 to 2001 Here’s a great photo we found of her, her mother, & siblings. Her father was the blood transfusion pioneer, Charles Drew. This photo was taken by the renowned local Scurlock Studio.
Happy 51st-ish Birthday to the incomparable Tom Sherwood We don’t get to pick our birthdays, but I like to think he deliberately chose one during Council recess-just on principle In lieu of gifts-Tom requests that you never refer to DC’s “city council” or “city hall” ever again
Discovered this on eBay If this works, we could plug a budget hole…by digging an actual hole
Watch day become night then day again in just 20 minutes as the storm rolls in Keep your eye on the Wilson Building and its lights to see the contrast
On this date in 1936-Lightning struck the Washington Monument & it was caught on film for the very 1st time by @washingtonpost photog Arthur Ellis. This photo-originally in the Corcoran-now hangs on the 4th floor of the Wilson Bldg Read more: wapo.st/2P0QIDV
On this date in 2017, we lost Cool “Disco” Dan. He was legendary, an icon of the "real,” non-federal, hometown DC--the District, not Washington.
How are #DCStatehood & #SharkWeek alike? Mako no bones about it, DC not being a state is bull, & f'in bites. It gills me. Those who say we’re upsetting the apple cart allege we’re just flapping our jaws. But even if it's like pulling teeth: We're going to need a bigger vote
Great news! Jim Vance’s interviews with Barack Obama & Michelle Obama, which were both recently unavailable online, & feared lost, are now back online Vance being Vance, he was sure to ask them both about DC voting rights www.nbcwashington.com/video/news/l... www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/f...
On this date in 1954, we lost Mary Church Terrell. From teaching Latin at Dunbar High, to her appointment to the DC school board, to her efforts desegregating DC restaurants, she’s a local legend. For her early work with NAACP & NACWC, she is a national civil rights icon.
On this date in 1899, DC’s cable car system had its last run. Cable cars ran in DC for roughly a decade, bridging the gap between horse-drawn and electric transit systems.
There is another way for Arlington to become a city…
ARLnow@arlnow.bsky.social · 2w agoTo become a city, Arlington would have to wait until at least 2032
On this date in 2017—Jim Vance passed away. As we said that day: they don't—and won't—come any cooler, smarter, or classier than Jim Vance. That day—and ever since—Washington has one less monument. #Vance, we miss you!@nbcwashington PS—Would love to hear his take on recent news!
Fans of the Council Chamber: there used to be fans in the Council Chamber Plants too… (This was back when the Council Chamber was the Boardroom of DC’s 3 unelected, Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed Commissioners.)
On this date in 2014, Boss Shepherd's Restaurant opened across Freedom Plaza from the Wilson Building. It closed on 8/31/2017. It's sadly missed by all of us here. They had the courage to show Council proceedings on the TVs over their bar. Perhaps that was their downfall.
We are investigating if our legislative powers would allow us to ban this It’s only July!
On National Ice Cream Day, we celebrate this icon from 2011’s Carmageddon snowstorm
On this date in 1922, former Ward 7 Councilmember (1975-1981) Willie J. Hardy was born. She passed away in 2007. What her middle initial stood for was a well-kept secret, and remains a mystery today. Read more about her life & legacy: wapo.st/29E0Tx1
Dais Deja Vu! With Elissa Silverman returning to the Council yesterday—we take this opportunity to dig into our beloved Council trivia to list other Council Grover Clevelands (with non-consecutive terms) Marion Barry (3x!) David Clarke Arrington Dixon Vincent Gray Vincent Orange
On this date in 1966, an impressive Home Rule Day rally was held on the Mall, attended by thousands. Home Rule took 8 more years to achieve. Later this year, we will celebrate its 52nd anniversary. Yet Home Rule itself is challenged today, & we must fight to protect & expand it
Welcome back to the Council, Councilmember Elissa Silverman!
Council Gives Final Approval to RESALE Act, Regulating Ticket Sales and Capping Ticket Resale Prices dccouncil.gov/council-give...
The smoke is already here The top photo is last night, the bottom is tonight. Same shot. Same time. 24 hours apart. And it will only intensify. Check out airnow.gov for warnings, updates, and health info. Be safe, everyone!
Whoosh! Like a rocket ship… From the Falcon rocket launch the other day
As Doni Crawford’s time on the Council draws to a close, let’s indulge in a bit of Council trivia thread (since she is a wonk and a student of the institution) Banter on the dais on Tuesday dug into a longstanding debate—What background makes for the best Councilmembers? (1/3)