Despite its creation in 1791, the District of Columbia did not have its own local government or mayor until 1974. The people of Washington elected Walter E. Washington, an attorney and expert on urban housing, as their first mayor. He was born in the District in 1915, attended Howard University and Howard Law School and served on the National Capital Housing authority. Ironically, the citizens of the capital of the free world had to fight for their own self-determination. When they succeeded, they chose Walter E. Washington to be their leader. He was re-elected in 1976.
Walter E. Washington
