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    History in 16th Jul

  • Residence Act signed, making Washington D.C capital

    President George Washington signs the Residence Act into law, officially designating Washington, D.C. as the future capital of the United States. Washington D.C. was chosen during a compromise between Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, as Jefferson and Madison wanted a southern capital close to Virginia while Hamilton sought their political support for the Assumption bill.

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  • Mary Todd Lincoln dies

    Former First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln passes away in Springfield, Illinois, 17 years after her husband was assassinated. Lincoln suffered from severe depression, having buried her husband and all but one of her children, and was confined to an asylum by her eldest son, Robert.

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