1800
The Congress met first in 1789. In 1790 it approved the creation of a capital district and gave the President, George Washington, the choice of the exact site which was to be, under the Constitution, under the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress. Maryland and Virginia donated land, although Virginia's land was later returned. The city of Washington was officially founded in 1791, the federal district named Columbia, and was the meeting place of Congress in 1800.