DC history

A new exhibit is rolling into D.C.’S Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, about the travel guidebook that Black families used to literally navigate a dangerous time: Segregation.

A new exhibit at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library focuses on a travel guidebook that Black Americans used during segregation. News4’s Jessica Albert explains why this guide was key to survival for Black families.

Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, has a rich historical connection to France. Join News4’s Jummy Olabanji as she reveals these fascinating stories and shows how to immerse yourself in French culture without leaving the District.

Pierre “Peter” Charles L’Enfant’s name may sound familiar, at least from the Southwest D.C. Metro station that bears his name. Born in Paris in 1754, L’Enfant was an artist and engineer by trade. He is best known for designing the city plan for Washington, D.C. But like many of life’s plans, this one did not go as expected. News4’s Jummy...

The D.C. Docs Film Festival brings world-class documentaries to the District. ‘Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round’ highlights one of the earliest organized interracial civil rights demonstrations in U.S. history. News4’s Jummy Olabanji reports.

Thurst Lounge on 13th Street NW is best known for its Thursday open mic nights. The building used to be owned by Odessa Madre, a Black woman who identified as LGBTQ herself. News4’s Tommy McFly has the details.

A historic Maryland pizza shop is closing its doors for good next week. The Pizza Oven has been serving up fresh made pies since the 1950s. The man behind the counter for mos of those decades says he’d keep making pizza if it weren’t for the Purple Line construction in front of his restaurant. News4’s Mark Segraves...

The Harrington was far from chic like the newer, far more expensive hotels in the neighborhood. Instead, it was a spot the average person could afford, popular amongst tourists and schools groups wanting to visit D.C. on a budget — people like Robert Whitfield, who’s stayed at the Harrington whenever he’s in town on business.

For more than 100 years, Hotel Harrington has stood in the center of downtown D.C. just blocks away from the White House, perhaps one of the most famous and infamous hotels in the District. It closed its doors Tuesday, and News4’s Mark Segraves spoke with the last customer after he checked out.

D.C.’s music community is mourning the loss of Rev. Dr. Sandra Butler-Truesdale, a trailblazing advocate for preserving the city’s musical heritage.

On Cinco De Mayo in 1991, a Black officer shot a Latino man in a murky confrontation. What followed in the “powder keg” of Mount Pleasant brought lasting changes D.C.’s Latino community — but political representation remains elusive.

The Mount Pleasant Riots of 1991 rocked the nation’s capital, pitting police against a community seeking to be seen and heard. The riots have been called a moment that put Latinos on the map in D.C. News4’s Mauricio Casillas and Teneille Gibson set out to look at how the riots forever changed the lives of Latinos in the District. This...

District hip hop trailblazer DJ Kool talks about how he has tried to create a D.C. sound. News4’s Dominique Moody reports.