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The US Constitution authorizes the establishment of a federal district to be the seat of the American government.

George Washington selects the site for the new Capitol, with his city planner, Pierre Charles L’Enfant, on Jenkins Hill, 88 ft (27 m) above the Potomac River.

Dr. William Thornton wins a design contest for “Congress House,” in which he proposed a simple central domed hall flanked by two rectangular wings.

Congress moves from Philadelphia to occupy the north wing of the Capitol.

The Capitol is fully occupied by the House of Representatives and Senate, the Supreme Court, and Library of Congress.

British troops burn the Capitol during the War of 1812.

Charles Bulfinch redesigns the fire-damaged building and supervises reconstruction. The Senate and Supreme Court occupy new rooms by 1819 and the Rotunda is first used in 1824 to host a grand reception for General Lafayette.

The Capitol is again damaged by fire. It is redesigned and rebuilt once more under the direction of Charles Bulfinch and Thomas U. Walter, who designs the cast-iron dome. Work is interrupted during the Civil War, when the Capitol is used as a hospital, barracks, and bakery.

Modern plumbing and electrical lighting are installed for the first time.

The east front is completely rebuilt, 32 ft (10 m) east of the old sandstone front. The west front is restored between 1983 and 1987. This work produces the Capitol we see today.