On September 18, 1793, George Washington laid the cornerstone of the Capitol building, the future home of the legislative branch of government. Six years earlier, on September 17, 1787, Washington was among the 39 men who signed the United States Constitution; effectively putting the framework of the new government into place.  Despite this, the physical location of the government would not be completed for many years. The north wing was finished in 1800; the south wing in 1811.  Then the Capitol was burned in the War of 1812, but a rainstorm saved it from complete destruction (Congress was forced to meet in temporary quarters until 1819).  During the Civil War, it was used as Union barracks. Now, 219 years later, the building stands completed, with 540 rooms.  In 1801, Thomas Jefferson became the first President to be inaugurated at the Capitol, a tradition that continues to this day. Photograph of the Capitol Building under construction in Washington, DC.
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On September 18, 1793, George Washington laid the cornerstone of the Capitol building, the future home of the legislative branch of government.

Six years earlier, on September 17, 1787, Washington was among the 39 men who signed the United States Constitution; effectively putting the framework of the new government into place.  Despite this, the physical location of the government would not be completed for many years.

The north wing was finished in 1800; the south wing in 1811.  Then the Capitol was burned in the War of 1812, but a rainstorm saved it from complete destruction (Congress was forced to meet in temporary quarters until 1819).  During the Civil War, it was used as Union barracks.

Now, 219 years later, the building stands completed, with 540 rooms.  In 1801, Thomas Jefferson became the first President to be inaugurated at the Capitol, a tradition that continues to this day.

Photograph of the Capitol Building under construction in Washington, DC.

Source: research.archives.gov

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    this was a trivial pursuit question (who laid the cornerstone of the Capitol) in the original version of the game.