The United States Capitol
By Wendy VanHatten
While in Washington, D.C. we toured the US Capitol. Some interesting facts and tidbits we learned were:
- The US Capitol has housed Congress since 1800
- The cornerstone was laid by George Washington on September 18, 1793
- The British burned the US Capitol in 1814
- The Rotunda is the heart and center of the Capitol
- The Rotunda is over 180 feet tall
- It covers over 1.5 million square feet
- There are over 600 rooms
- The National Statuary Hall has part of the collect of statues of notable people from every state
- The vaulted space below the dome of the Rotunda is call the Crypt
