Cemeteries in District of Columbia (District)

Washington, D.C., formally known as the District of Columbia, was established in 1790 as the capital of the United States, carved from land ceded by Maryland and Virginia.

The area was selected for its central location among the original thirteen colonies and placed under federal jurisdiction to ensure national neutrality. Named in honor of George Washington and Columbia, a poetic name for the U.S., the city was planned by French engineer Pierre Charles L’Enfant. The early population consisted of European-American settlers, free African Americans, and enslaved people who helped build the city’s early infrastructure. Over time, Washington evolved into a hub for political, military, and civil rights milestones. Although Virginia’s portion was later returned, the remaining territory remains a federal district. It has never belonged to any state, though it now has limited self-governance.

Historic cemeteries such as Congressional Cemetery and Rock Creek Cemetery have long served as resting places for residents.