History in Washington, D.C.

A centuries-old stone pagoda from Japan stands among cherry trees beside the National Mall Tidal Basin.

A stone nook where Frederick Douglass escaped the world to think, read, and write.

The house where Lincoln drafted the Emancipation Proclamation.

The most magical part of this Latin American and Caribbean art museum is a room covered in beautiful blue tiles from floor to ceiling.

A glimpse of the Pacific Northwest‘s indigenous culture in Washington, D.C.

After James Madison's death, his wife and former First Lady Dolley Madison lived in this yellow building near the White House.

One of the three perfect vellum copies of this historic book known to exist is on display in a specially-designed case.

The "Key of Keys" for Washington, D.C. and the apocryphal landing place for the military campaign that started George Washington's career is now at the bottom of a well.

The story behind this beloved toy—named for Theodore Roosevelt and owned by his grandson—is more complicated than you might guess.

An 18th-century townhouse that once hosted guests of the president.

The oldest house in Washington, D.C. wasn't originally constructed in the nation's capital.

This unassuming passageway played a key role in one of the most important events in U.S. history.

An overlooked tribute to one of the most important peace deals in American history.

The preamble to the U.S. Constitution written entirely from vanity license plates hangs in the Smithsonian museum.

This grisly headstone doesn’t seem to be resting in peace.

Part of a WWII submarine is lurking outside the Washington Navy Yard parking lot.