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Welcome to The Washington D.C. Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• D.C. firm leads $80M investment in Alexandria defense tech company.

• Upcoming Washington Nationals match

• A deep-dive into the life of Charles Hamilton Houston

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“How you climb a mountain is more important than reaching the top.”

–Yvon Chouinard

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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 public park in Washington DC is named after an American civil rights leader and features a large memorial statue of him?

A) Lincoln Park

B) Malcolm X Park

C) Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park

D) Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

Answer to Week 44's Trivia:

The institution in Washington DC dedicated to the study of the Holocaust, providing exhibitions and educational programs about this historical tragedy, is A) The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

News

💼Business

Amazon acquires part of controversial data center development site in Manassas. (Link)

Emergent BioSolutions' smallpox vaccine approved as treatment for mpox. (Link)

🏒Sports

Mets move closer to wild-card spot with 4-1 win over Red Sox. (Link)

Commanders’ Luke McCaffrey set to add to famous family’s NFL legacy. (Link)

🏦Finance

D.C. firm leads $80M investment in Alexandria defense tech company. (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

⚾ Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals
Nationals Park, Washington, DC
Tue, Sep 10th - Wed, Sep 11th | (More info)

⚾ Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals
Nationals Park, Washington, DC
Thu, Sep 12th - Sat, Sep 14th | (More info)

Concerts

🎵 Peter Frampton
Warner Theatre, Washington, DC
Tuesday, Sep 10th | (More info)

🎵 PJ Harvey
The Anthem, Washington, DC
Wednesday, Sep 11th | (More info)

Family

🎨 IN-GALLERY | Portrait Gallery Kids
800 G Street Northwest, Washington, DC
Monday, Sep 16th | (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 a large, central, computerized public library” 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

Home Rule Act (1973) - Provides D.C. with a local government, including an elected mayor and council, though Congress retains veto power.

The Home Rule Act of 1973 marked a significant shift in the governance of Washington D.C., providing the District with a modicum of self-governance for the first time in nearly a century. Prior to the Act, the nation's capital was primarily controlled by Congress and administered by federally appointed officials, which meant that residents of D.C. had very limited say in local affairs despite residing in the heart of the United States. The Act was a response to growing calls for democratic reform and self-determination from district residents. It allowed for the establishment of a local government structure, including an elected mayor and a 13-member council, thereby granting the residents of Washington D.C. a greater degree of control over local issues.

However, the Home Rule Act also enshrined significant limitations to this local governance, reflecting the unique status of Washington D.C. as a federal district. Most notably, Congress retained the authority to review and veto legislation passed by the D.C. Council before it could become law. This provision underscored the prevailing view at the time that, as the seat of the federal government, the district's affairs were of national concern, and thus, Congress should maintain ultimate legislative oversight. Additionally, the act prohibited the District from imposing commuter taxes on non-residents, further limiting its fiscal autonomy. Congress also reserved the right to alter or even abolish the local D.C. government, indicating the conditional nature of the self-governance granted.

Despite its limitations, the Home Rule Act of 1973 was a watershed moment for the residents of Washington D.C., providing a foundation for local self-governance that continues to evolve. Over the years, there have been numerous campaigns and legislative efforts to grant the District a greater degree of autonomy and even statehood, although these efforts have faced significant political hurdles. The Act remains a crucial element of the ongoing debate over the rights and representation of the District's residents, highlighting the challenges of balancing local autonomy with federal interest in the governance of the nation’s capital.

Famous People From Washington D.C.

Charles Hamilton Houston (1895–1950) - Prominent African American lawyer, Dean of Howard University Law School, and NAACP Litigation Director who played a significant role in dismantling Jim Crow laws.

Born in Washington, D.C., Charles Hamilton Houston was the son of a lawyer and a teacher. He displayed early brilliance in academics, attending the prestigious M Street High School. Despite the racial challenges of the time, Houston excelled, laying a strong foundation for his future endeavors in law and civil rights advocacy.

Military Service and Further Education (1917-1922)

Houston's education was interrupted by World War I, during which he served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. The racism he encountered in the military deeply affected him, cementing his resolve to fight for equal rights. After the war, he continued his education at Amherst College, where he graduated as valedictorian. He then pursued law at Harvard University, becoming the first African American editor of the Harvard Law Review.

Deanship at Howard University Law School (1929-1935)

Houston's most significant impact started when he took the reins as the Vice-Dean of Howard University Law School. He transformed the institution from a vocational school into a significant legal entity that produced a generation of skilled civil rights attorneys. Houston advocated for the importance of legal strategy in the fight against segregation, laying the groundwork for the major civil rights victories that would follow.

NAACP Litigation Director (1935-1940)

As the Litigation Director of the NAACP, Houston crafted a multi-year strategy to dismantle the separate but equal doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson. He believed that equality in education was the key to overturning segregation. During his tenure, he mentored future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and led a series of cases that gradually eroded the legal foundations of segregation.

The Fight Against Segregation in Education (1930s-1940s)

Houston's most notable contributions were in the realm of education. He played a pivotal role in several critical cases, including Gaines v. Canada, where the Supreme Court ruled that states providing a legal education to white students must offer an equal facility to black students. This and other cases were instrumental in chipping away at the Jim Crow laws.

Connection to Washington D.C.

Charles Hamilton Houston's connection to Washington D.C. was profound and lifelong. He was born, raised, and educated in the city, which served as the backdrop for his pioneering legal work. As a prominent African American lawyer in the nation’s capital, he used his position to influence legal education and civil rights litigation, leaving an indelible mark on the city.

World War II and Aftermath (1940-1950)

During World War II, Houston served as a special counsel to the NAACP, continuing to advise on legal strategy and civil rights cases. After the war, he returned to private practice in Washington D.C. but remained a guiding force for the NAACP and the burgeoning civil rights movement until his death in 1950.

Legacy and Honors (1950 and Beyond)

Charles Hamilton Houston's legacy is monumental. He laid the legal groundwork that led to the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954, which effectively ended segregation in public schools. Posthumously, Houston has been honored with numerous awards and acknowledgments for his contributions to civil rights and legal education.

The Man Who Killed Jim Crow (Throughout Career)

Houston was often referred to as The Man Who Killed Jim Crow, a testament to his strategic, relentless legal fight against segregation. His innovative use of the law to challenge and dismantle the Jim Crow laws has cemented his place as one of the most influential civil rights attorneys in American history.

Remembering Charles Hamilton Houston (1950 and Beyond)

Charles Hamilton Houston passed away in 1950, but the impact of his work continues to resonate. He is remembered not just for his legal acumen but for his unwavering commitment to justice and equality. His strategic battles, especially in the realm of education, helped pave the way for the civil rights advancements of the 20th century.

Key Achievements of Charles Hamilton Houston:

• Transformed Howard University Law School into a premier institution for civil rights law.

• First African American editor of the Harvard Law Review.

• Served as the NAACP's first Special Counsel and Litigation Director, laying the groundwork for desegregation.

• Led legal battles that undermined the legal basis for segregation, including the landmark case Gaines v. Canada.

• Mentored Thurgood Marshall, who would go on to argue Brown v. Board of Education and serve as a Supreme Court Justice.

Charles Hamilton Houston's life and career were dedicated to dismantling the legal structures that upheld racial discrimination in the United States. His innovative legal strategies and mentorship of a generation of civil rights lawyers left an indelible mark on American law and society. Houston's legacy as a tireless advocate for justice and equality continues to inspire and influence the ongoing fight for civil rights.

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

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