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Located on Capitol Hill at the east end of the National Mall
in Washington, D.C., the United States Capitol is the seat of
government for the United States Congress. George Washington
laid the cornerstone for the Capitol at the groundbreaking
ceremony on September 18, 1793. In 1800, the northern Senate
wing of the Capitol was completed and the southern House of
Representative's wing was completed in 1811 and other expansions
followed. A central dome, topped with the Statue of Freedom,
and a rotunda below connects the two wings. Inside the Capitol
is an impressive array of artwork depicting historical moments
of the United States and historical figures in the formation of
this great country.
Many presidents have lain in state in the Capitol rotunda for
public viewing and the Capitol has hosted many Presidential
inaugurations. A beautiful Capitol Reflection Pool leads to the
West front of the U.S. Capitol. U.S. flags fly from rooftop
flagpoles on the North (Senate) and South (House of
Representative) when either chamber is in session and two
additional flags have flown day and night at the base of the
dome on the East and West since World War I.
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