<P> On December 23 , 1788 , the Maryland General Assembly passed an act , allowing it to cede land for the federal district . The Virginia General Assembly followed suit on December 3 , 1789 . The signing of the federal Residence Act on July 16 , 1790 , mandated that the site for the permanent seat of government , `` not exceeding ten miles square '' ( 100 square miles ) , be located on the `` river Potomack , at some place between the mouths of the Eastern - Branch and Connogochegue '' . The `` Eastern - Branch '' is known today as the Anacostia River . The Connogocheque ( Conococheague Creek ) empties into the Potomac River upstream near Williamsport and Hagerstown , Maryland . The Residence Act limited to the Maryland side of the Potomac River the location of land that commissioners appointed by the President could acquire for federal use . </P>
<P> On December 23 , 1788 , the Maryland General Assembly passed an act , allowing it to cede land for the federal district . The Virginia General Assembly followed suit on December 3 , 1789 . The signing of the federal Residence Act on July 16 , 1790 , mandated that the site for the permanent seat of government , `` not exceeding ten miles square '' ( 100 square miles ) , be located on the `` river Potomack , at some place between the mouths of the Eastern - Branch and Connogochegue '' . The `` Eastern - Branch '' is known today as the Anacostia River . The Connogocheque ( Conococheague Creek ) empties into the Potomac River upstream near Williamsport and Hagerstown , Maryland . The Residence Act limited to the Maryland side of the Potomac River the location of land that commissioners appointed by the President could acquire for federal use . </P>
when was the capital moved to washington dc
when was the capital moved to washington dc
1790
1790