Designating December 1991 as "Bicentennial of the District of Columbia Month".
PL 102-209 (H.J.Res.356), enacted 12/10/1991

PUBLIC LAW 102-209—DEC. 10, 1991 
105 STAT. 1649 
Public Law 102-209 
102d Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Designating December 1991 as "Bicentennial of the District of Columbia Month". 
Whereas the year 1991 is recognized as the 200th anniversary of the 
District of Columbia because many of the events important to the 
founding of the Nation's Capital occurred during that year; 
Whereas on January 24, 1791, George Washington selected the site 
along the Potomac River as the district for the permanent seat of 
the Government of the United States where the vision of the 
infant nation dedicated to the principles of self-government could 
be realized; 
Whereas in February 1791, Andrew Ellicott and Benjamin Banneker 
began to survey the new district, which would become the center 
of a continent and leader of the free world; 
Whereas on September 9, 1791, the Commissioners charged with the 
founding of the city informed Major Pierre L'Enfant that the 
Federal district was to be called the Territory of Columbia 
and the Federal city the City of Washington; 
Whereas on December 13, 1791, L'Enfant's grand plan for the 
development of the Nation's Capital, which included magnificent 
vistas, radiating avenues, beautiful parks and promenades, 
cascading fountains, and public spaces for national monuments, 
and which reflected the patriotic enthusiasm that the Federal city 
forever serve as a temple to liberty, was .submitted to the 
Congress; 
Whereas on December 19, 1791, the State of Maryland forever ceded 
and relinquished to the Congress and the Government of the 
United States the final land grant to form the new district; 
Whereas the creation of the District of Columbia was an important 
act of self-government by the first Federal Congress designed to 
strengthen and preserve the political institutions of a free people, 
and the District itself is a time-honored symbol of the Republic; 
Whereas the grandeur and beauty of the District of Columbia are 
acclaimed throughout the world; 
Whereas the sacrifices of a people dedicated to freedom are forever 
remembered in the inspiring memorials located in the District of 
Columbia; 
Whereas the people of the District of Columbia have made contribu-
tions to the arts, law, music, and culture that have been recog-
nized throughout the Nation and the world; 
Whereas the District of Columbia is a national treasure as the 
repository of much of our Nation's history; and 
Whereas the District of Columbia is truly where the people of the 
United States, through our elected representatives, exercise the 
right of self-governance: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That December 
1991 is designated as "Bicentennial of the District of Columbia 
Dec. 10,1991 
[H.J. Res. 356] 
105 STAT. 1650 
PUBLIC LAW 102-209—DEC. 10, 1991 
Month", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a 
proclamation— 
(1) honoring the 200th anniversary of the founding of the 
District of Columbia as the Nation's Capital; and 
, 
(2) calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
i. 
such month with appropriate ceremonies and activities. 
Approved December 10, 1991. 
LEGISLATIVE mSTORY—H.J. Res. 356: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 137 (1991): 
Nov. 26, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 27, considered and passed Senate.