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Welcome to The Washington D.C. Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Hines pays $142M for residential development site in Leesburg, setting up 1,100-home project.

• Upcoming Washington Nationals match

• A deep-dive into the life of Zora Neale Hurston

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.”

–Paulo Coelho

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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 area in Washington DC is known for its waterfront dining, recreational activities, and recently developed Wharf district?

A) Georgetown Waterfront

B) The Navy Yard

C) Southwest Waterfront

D) Anacostia Riverwalk

Answer to Week 32's Trivia:

he building in Washington DC that was the first to be constructed in the Federal style and has served various purposes including as the President's residence is A) The Octagon House.

News

💼Business

Former Northrop CEO sells McLean mansion. (Link)

Amtrak's Union Station takeover will proceed Monday. (Link)

🏒Sports

Hometown favorite Tiafoe endures three sets, rain delay to mount D.C. Open comeback win. (Link)

McKeown still rules the Olympic backstroke, beating Smith in women’s 100 meters. (Link)

🏦Finance

Hines pays $142M for residential development site in Leesburg, setting up 1,100-home project. (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

🎾 Mubadala Citi DC Open Outer Courts Full Day
Fitzgerald Tennis Stadium at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, Washington, DC
Friday, August 2, 2024 | (More info)

⚾ Milwaukee Brewers at Washington Nationals
Nationals Park, Washington, DC
Saturday, August 3 to Sunday, August 4, 2024 | (More info)

Concerts

🎵 AJR
Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Friday, August 2, 2024 | (More info)

🎵 Lauren Daigle
Filene Center at Wolf Trap, Washington, DC
Saturday, August 3, 2024 | (More info)

Family-Friendly Events

🎨 Family Craft Along: Make a Wind Chime!
3419 18th Street Northeast, Washington, DC
Sunday, August 4, 2024 | (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 “High-tech entertainment district in Washington DC with virtual reality arcades” 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

Opening of the Pentagon (1943) - World's largest office building serves as the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense.

On January 15, 1943, the Pentagon was officially opened, marking a significant milestone in the history of the United States' military endeavors. Designed by American architect George Bergstrom and constructed under the supervision of general contractor John McShain, the Pentagon was commissioned as a response to the rapidly expanding needs of the U.S. Department of War during World War II. Situated in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington D.C., it would become the epicenter of U.S. military operations, serving as the headquarters for the Department of Defense. Its completion was an architectural and engineering feat, especially considering the building was finished in an astonishingly short period of just 16 months amidst the constraints of a global conflict.

Covering an area of 29 acres, the Pentagon stands as the world's largest office building by floor area. Its unique design features five concentric pentagonal rings, hence its name, with a total of 17.5 miles of corridors that facilitate quick and efficient movement throughout the building. Despite its vast size, it’s said that one can walk between any two points within the building in less than seven minutes. The design not only encapsulated the practical needs of the Department of Defense but also symbolized strength and resilience. Over time, the Pentagon has not only been a symbol of military might but also a target, most notably during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, after which it underwent extensive repairs and security enhancements.

The opening of the Pentagon in 1943 significantly bolstered the administrative and operational capacity of the United States military, centralizing its command in a singular location for enhanced coordination and efficiency. As the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, it plays a critical role in the planning and execution of American military activities around the globe. Beyond its function as a military hub, the Pentagon has also embedded itself into the cultural and historic fabric of the United States, symbolizing the nation's military strength and strategic prowess. Its continuous operation since its inception underscores its enduring importance to the country's security and defense infrastructure.

Famous People From Washington D.C.

Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960)

Zora Neale Hurston was an iconic figure of the Harlem Renaissance and a celebrated writer, anthropologist, and folklorist whose work has captivated readers for decades. Her journey from the rural South to the cultural explosion of Harlem established her as a key figure in American literature and history.

Early Years and Education (1891-1917)

Born in Notasulga, Alabama, and raised in Eatonville, Florida, one of the first all-black towns in the U.S., Zora Neale Hurston's early life was filled with a vibrant African American culture that would later seep into her writings. Despite her father's position as a preacher and her mother's death when Hurston was a teenager, she found solace and inspiration in the stories and folklore of her community, shaping her interests and future career.

Howard University and Literary Beginnings (1918-1927)

Hurston's educational journey led her to Howard University in Washington D.C., where she was one of the early female students to attend. It was here that Hurston began writing, contributing short stories to the university's literary magazine, Stylus. This period was critical in Hurston's development as a writer and her connection to the burgeoning literary movement that would come to be known as the Harlem Renaissance.

The Harlem Renaissance and Professional Triumphs (1928-1936)

Moving to New York City during the Harlem Renaissance, Hurston became a prominent literary figure among the likes of Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen. Her charismatic personality, combined with her unique perspective on African American folklore, caught the attention of patrons who helped support her work as a researcher and writer. During this era, Hurston published some of her most famous works, including Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Anthropological Pursuits and a Deep Dive into Folklore (1937-1948)

Hurston's fascination with African American folklore led her to pursue a career in anthropology. She conducted extensive fieldwork in the American South, the Caribbean, and Central America, collecting stories, songs, and rituals that informed her later fictive and non-fictive writings. This research was pioneering, merging literary craft with anthropological insight and preserving cultural narratives that were on the verge of being lost.

Notable Works and Literary Achievements (1949-1959)

During her life, Hurston published four novels, two books of folklore, an autobiography, and numerous short stories, essays, and plays. Despite achieving a significant degree of fame, she faced financial difficulties and criticism for her political viewpoints and portrayal of African American life.

Later Years and Decline (1959-1960)

In her final years, Hurston worked as a freelance writer for magazines and newspapers, but her once-prominent literary career faded. She died in obscurity in Fort Pierce, Florida, in 1960, her passing barely noted by the media.

Posthumous Recognition and Revival (1970s-Present)

It was not until the 1970s, with the rise of interest in African American and women's literature, that Hurston's work was rediscovered. Championed by author Alice Walker and others, Hurston's writings, particularly Their Eyes Were Watching God, experienced a resurgence and became recognized as seminal works of American literature.

Her Connection to Washington DC (1918-1927)

Hurston's time at Howard University in Washington D.C. was more than just an educational experience; it was here that she found her voice as a writer and connected with the larger African American literary movement. The city served as a backdrop for her early development as an author and as a space where she could explore the complexities of racial identity, themes that would permeate her later work.

Key Achievements of Zora Neale Hurston:

• Renowned author associated with the Harlem Renaissance.

• Received a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Barnard College.

• Published groundbreaking work in African American folklore and literature.

• Pioneered the incorporation of folklore into literary narratives.

• Her work Their Eyes Were Watching God has been celebrated as a masterwork of American literature.

Zora Neale Hurston was a towering literary figure whose work continues to influence and inspire. An anthropologist ahead of her time, she played a crucial role in preserving African American folklore and made significant contributions to American literature and anthropology. Despite the challenges she faced, including a period of obscurity, Hurston's legacy endures, a testament to her talent, resilience, and profound understanding of the human condition. Her revival and recognition in later years underscore her place as an essential voice in the canon of American writers.

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-Matthew Larsen

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