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Welcome to The Washington D.C. Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Springfield mall owner sells hotel development parcel.

• Upcoming Washington Mystics match

• A deep-dive into the life of Walter Reed

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” 

— Vincent Van Gogh

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Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Which historic Washington DC theater, opened in 1910, is known for its vaudeville roots and as a venue for live entertainment including music and comedy shows?

A) The National Theatre

B) Ford's Theatre

C) The Howard Theatre

D) The Kennedy Center

Answer to Week 36's Trivia:

The Washington DC museum that focuses on the impact of media on society and hosts a collection of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs is A) The Newseum

News

💼Business

Choice dumps shares of rival business after failed hostile takeover bid. (Link)

Tech giant to give back two-thirds of its leased space in Reston. (Link)

🏒Sports

Deshaun Watson, Browns quarterback, cleared for contact, but will sit out second preseason game. (Link)

A’ja Wilson, U.S. women hold off France to win eighth straight Olympic basketball gold medal. (Link)

🏦Finance

Springfield mall owner sells hotel development parcel. (Link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports Events

🏀 Minnesota Lynx at Washington Mystics
Entertainment & Sports Arena, Washington, DC
Saturday, Aug 17th | (More info)

⚾ Colorado Rockies at Washington Nationals
Nationals Park, Washington, DC
Tuesday, Aug 20th | (More info)

Concerts

🎵 Asake
Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Friday, Aug 16th | (More info)

🎵 Ken Carson
The Anthem, Washington, DC
Sunday, Aug 18th | (More info)

Family-Friendly Events

🏃 Kid Marathon
4332 First Street Southeast, Washington, DC
Saturday, Aug 17th | (More info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Washington DC with interactive, educational playgrounds for all ages”. and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Washington D.C. Historical Events

Introduction of Metro Rail Service (1976) - Transforming public transportation in the capital.

The introduction of the Metro Rail Service in 1976 marked a transformative era in public transportation for Washington DC, a city bustling with political, cultural, and social activity. Prior to the Metro's inauguration, Washington DC's public transportation was heavily reliant on buses and taxis, which struggled to accommodate the growing population and the increasing number of commuters. The Metro Rail Service was envisioned as a solution to reduce surface congestion, connect the expanding suburbs with the city center, and offer a reliable, efficient alternative to personal vehicles.

On March 27, 1976, the first segment of the Metro Rail Service was officially opened to the public, signaling a new dawn in the capital's transit history. This initial phase connected five stations over 4.6 miles, stretching from Rhode Island Avenue to Farragut North. The architecture of the stations, characterized by their spacious, clean, and modern design, won widespread acclaim and set the tone for the future of public transport in the city. The opening attracted thousands of curious residents and commuters eager to experience the novel mode of transportation, which promised not only to alleviate street-level traffic but also to knit together the diverse neighborhoods of the city more closely.

Over the years, the Metro Rail Service has dramatically transformed public transportation in Washington DC, expanding to include six lines, over 90 stations, and covering more than 100 miles of track. It has become an essential part of the capital's infrastructure, facilitating the daily commute for hundreds of thousands of people and playing a crucial role in sustaining the city's growth and development. The Metro not only connects residential areas with business, government, and cultural landmarks but also significantly contributes to the environmental goals of the city by reducing the reliance on cars. As it moves forward, the Metro Rail Service continues to evolve, reflecting Washington DC's commitment to providing a sustainable, efficient, and accessible transit system for all its residents and visitors.

Famous People From Washington D.C.

Walter Reed (1851–1902)

Walter Reed was born in Gloucester County, Virginia, in 1851, embracing a profound curiosity about the biological sciences from a young age. Opting to enter the medical field, Reed attended the University of Virginia, where he completed his doctorate in medicine at the remarkably young age of 18. He furthered his education at Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York City, obtaining a second medical degree, which primed him for his eventual groundbreaking work in infectious diseases.

Military Service and Initial Medical Assignments (1875-1893)

Upon joining the U.S. Army as a physician, Reed's early career was marked by various postings across the American frontier. These assignments, which included duties in Arizona, Kansas, and Nebraska, among others, exposed him to the myriad health challenges faced by military personnel and civilians alike, enriching his experience and understanding of public health concerns.

Advancements in Pathology and Bacteriology (1893-1898)

Reed's career took a significant turn when he was appointed curator of the Army Medical Museum in Washington, D.C., and professor of bacteriology and clinical microscopy at the Army Medical School. During this period, his interest and research in pathology and bacteriology deepened, laying the groundwork for his later achievements. This connection to Washington D.C. not only positioned Reed in the proximity of influential medical circles but also provided him with the resources to spearhead his research into infectious diseases.

The Breakthrough in Understanding Yellow Fever (1898-1901)

The Spanish-American War acted as a catalyst for Reed's most notable work. With yellow fever causing devastating casualties among American soldiers, Reed, as head of the U.S. Army Yellow Fever Commission, traveled to Cuba. It was here that Reed and his team conducted the now-famous experiments which conclusively demonstrated that yellow fever was transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, revolutionizing the understanding and treatment of the disease.

Eradication Efforts and Global Impact (1901-1902)

Following the discovery of the transmission mechanism of yellow fever, Reed was instrumental in implementing sanitation practices that drastically reduced the incidence of the disease. This achievement not only saved countless lives during the subsequent construction of the Panama Canal but also had a lasting global impact on public health and the control of infectious diseases.

Advocacy for Ethical Medical Research (1900-1902)

An often-overlooked aspect of Reed's work is his advocacy for ethical medical research practices. His insistence on informed consent from participants in his yellow fever studies set a precedent for ethical standards in medical research, a legacy that extends far beyond his work with yellow fever.

Personal Life and Character (Throughout Life)

Walter Reed was not just a brilliant scientist; he was also a devoted husband and father. His personal correspondence reveals a man of deep empathy and humanity, qualities that endeared him to friends, family, and colleagues alike. His integrity and ethical stance in both his personal and professional life left an indelible mark on those who knew him.

Final Years and Legacy (1901-1902)

Reed's life came to an untimely end in 1902, at the age of 51, due to complications from appendicitis. Though his career was relatively short, the impact of his work was monumental, fundamentally changing the way infectious diseases were understood and managed.

Remembering Walter Reed (1902 and Beyond)

The legacy of Walter Reed lives on, not only in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, named in his honor, but also in the countless lives saved through the public health practices his work inspired. His contributions to medical science, ethics, and public health continue to influence and inspire future generations of medical professionals.

Key Achievements of Walter Reed:

• Confirmed that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti.

• Served as head of the U.S. Army Yellow Fever Commission in Cuba, where his team's research led to groundbreaking discoveries.

• Played a pivotal role in the implementation of sanitation efforts that led to the eradication of yellow fever in parts of the Americas.

• Advocated for and practiced ethical standards in medical research, emphasizing the importance of informed consent.

• His work contributed significantly to the construction of the Panama Canal by reducing the incidence of yellow fever among workers.

• Honored posthumously with the naming of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Walter Reed, through his pioneering research and ethical stance, revolutionized the field of infectious diseases and laid the foundations for modern public health practices. His confirmation that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes not only saved countless lives but also demonstrated the importance of science and integrity in medicine. Reed's legacy endures, a testament to his profound impact on global health and medical research.

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-Matthew Larsen

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