# why washington d.c.?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-washington-d-c/45227>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 12, 2000, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-washington-d-c/45227 "2000-12-12T19:51:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-washington-d-c/45227/21 "2000-12-13T13:54:56Z")

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The bit about the region now known as Washington being called Columbia in earlier days makes sense. British Columbia got its name to distinguish it from the American territory.

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**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-washington-d-c/45227/22 "2000-12-13T14:27:17Z")

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I think the story of Washington and the dollar was actually about the Rappahanock and not the Potomac as was stated earlier, but you have to remember money went alot further in those days.

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