Part 2/9:
Before we explore the Senate Subway, it’s essential to understand the evolution of Washington, D.C. as the American capital. Established in the late 18th century amid intense debates on its location, the city was eventually placed on the Potomac River through the Residence Act of 1790. Designed by French architect Pierre Charles L’Enfant under the guidance of President George Washington, the ambitious city plan aimed for wide avenues and public squares to symbolize the new nation's democratic ideals.