On May 3, 1802, Washington, D.C. was officially incorporated as a city. Though it had been founded several years prior, it did not officially become a city until the Organic Act of 1801 placed the entire area under the control of Congress.

In 1788, James Madison expressed the need for a federal district, arguing that the national capital needed to be distinct from the states in order to provide for its own maintenance and safety. Following a mob attack on Congress in Philadelphia, a law was passed to provide for a federal district. Article One, Section Eight of the U.S. Constitution permits a "District (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States."

In 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act, which provided for a new permanent capital to be located on the Potomac River, with the exact area to be selected by President George Washington. As stated in the U.S. Constitution, the initial shape of the federal district was a square, measuring 10 miles on each side. In September 1791, the federal city was named in honor of George Washington, and the district was named the Territory of Columbia (Columbia was a poetic name for the United States). There were three cities in the territory – Washington, Alexandria, and Georgetown. Congress held its first session in Washington on November 17, 1800.

Finally, the Organic Act of 1801 officially organized the District of Columbia and placed the entire federal territory, including the cities of Washington, Georgetown, and Alexandria, under the exclusive control of Congress. On May 3, 1802, the Act took affect and Washington, D.C. was officially incorporated.

However, following the Act, citizens located in the District were no longer considered residents of any state, which ended their representation in Congress. It was not until 1961, when the 23rd Amendment was passed, that residents of Washington, D.C. were even allowed to vote in Presidential elections. To this day, the district has no voting delegates in Congress.