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“An empty crypt lies beneath the Capitol building” That’s how our tour of significant Washington D.C. locations begins. This chilling fact reveals a little-known secret about the nation’s capital. We are standing near the spot where George Washington was originally intended to be buried. Imagine the weight of history under our feet. The Capitol building itself is steeped in fascinating stories. It wasn’t designed by an American. A British doctor named William Thornton was the architect. The White House too has an international connection. James Hoban an Irishman designed that iconic building. Even the Smithsonian Institution’s namesake James Smithson was an Englishman. Interestingly he never even stepped foot on American soil. Washington D.C has many surprising stories. For example D.C. receives more rainfall than Seattle. Perhaps that explains why its residents consume more wine per capita than any US state. The National Cathedral isn’t just impressive in scale. It features whimsical gargoyles including one that depicts Darth Vader. The Washington Monument has a secret too. It’s accidentally two different colors. Funding issues halted construction. When it resumed builders used different stones. The resulting color variation is a permanent reminder of the project’s challenges. Another presidential curiosity is Woodrow Wilson. He is the only president buried in Washington D.C. To move his precious wine collection after his term he needed congressional approval. Prohibition laws presented a unique challenge. He successfully got a special law passed. This allowed the transport of his wine collection from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to his personal residence. Washington D.C. is rich with history. It’s also home to many hidden stories. These snippets reveal its multifaceted past and unexpected quirks. Remember the empty crypt beneath the Capitol. It’s a reminder of the city’s layered past. We have only scratched the surface of its enthralling narrative.