THE BOYS' BRIGADE

Capitol of the United States

A big white dome stands out against the sky. Huge lights make the dome so bright at night that you can see it from miles away. The dome sits on top of the Capitol of the United States.

The U.S. Capitol building is one of the most important buildings in the United States of America. It is the building where the U.S. Congress meets. The Capitol attracts millions of visitors every year.

WHERE IS THE CAPITOL?

The Capitol is in Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States. The White House, where the president lives and works, is also in Washington, D.C. Many buildings belonging to the national government are located there.

The Capitol stands on a hill known as Capitol Hill. Beautiful grounds with grass and trees surround the Capitol.

The Capitol is at one end of Pennsylvania Avenue. The White House is at the other end.

VISITING THE CAPITOL

As you approach the Capitol, you see a huge white building. Most of it is made from marble, a kind of rock. The massive dome is made of iron painted white. On top of the dome you can see the statue of a woman. It’s called the Statue of Freedom.

To enter the Capitol, you walk up steep, wide steps. Once inside, you come to a big, round room called the Rotunda. The Rotunda is right under the dome. A large painting decorates the dome’s ceiling. Listen and you can hear voices echo.

Would you like to see some beautiful statues? The National Statuary Hall in the Capitol has statues of famous Americans from every state.

You can also visit the chambers where the U.S. Congress meets. You can even watch the meetings when Congress is in session.

WHY IS THE CAPITOL IMPORTANT?

The Capitol is the home of the U.S. Congress. Congress makes the nation’s laws. The senators and representatives from every state meet in the Capitol to debate and pass laws.

Congress is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate meets in the north wing of the Capitol. The House of Representatives meets in the south wing.

Doors leading to hundreds of rooms line the halls of the Capitol. Many senators and representatives have offices in the Capitol.

HOW OLD IS THE CAPITOL?

Parts of the Capitol are almost as old as the United States. America’s first president, George Washington, laid the cornerstone of the Capitol in 1793. Congress began to meet there in 1800.

Soon afterward, the Capitol came under attack. In the War of 1812, British soldiers set fire to the building. The fire destroyed nearly everything inside. Builders fixed it and made the building bigger and better. Over the years, they added more wings (sections) and many more rooms.