Washington D.C.

blue

Axios D.C. PM

Get smarter, faster on what matters in D.C. with Mimi Montgomery, Cuneyt Dil, and Anna Spiegel.

Axios D.C.

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Washington, DC. Written by Anna Spiegel and Cuneyt Dil.

Axios D.C. Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

D.C. Alerts

Alert

A guide to fun things to do in D.C. this weekend.

Axios D.C. Weekender

Weekender

Axios D.C. Partners

Washington, DC Members

Membership

Today, the Tidal Basin is off-limits to swimmers but in the early 1900s it was basically the go-to pool.

How it worked: The Bathing Beach on the Tidal Basin opened in 1918, thanks to one very sweaty U.S. senator from Nebraska and an act of Congress, WETA reports.

Swimmers played water tennis, lounged on a makeshift beach, ate ice cream, and lined up for miles to visit. Bureaucrats even competed in diving contests!

Yes, but: The beach was only open to white people. Black swimmers were forced to swim in dangerous, undeveloped areas of the Potomac.

A group of women in bathing suits and swim caps at the bathing beach at the Tidal Basin in D.C. in the early 20th century.

Photo: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Between the lines: The demise of the site began in the 1920s when Congress began to squabble over whether to allocate money for an African American beach along the Potomac, per WETA. 

When funding for that project was eliminated, lawmakers "fearful" that Black swimmers would try to integrate the Tidal Basin pushed for it to close.

By 1925, the bathing beach was no more and some people turned to swimming in the Reflecting Pool.

A group of boys waving at camera while Playing with a toy sailboat in the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, July 7, 1926 . 

Sailboat fun in the Reflecting Pool in July 1926. Photo: History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Remember When: People swam in the Tidal Basin

In the early 1900s, it was basically the go-to pool.

A large crowd of boys in bathing suits on the beach at Washington, DC's tidal basin, in the early twentieth century. The Washington Monument is visible in the background. 

On the "beach." Photo: Bain News Service/Buyenlarge/Getty Images

Outdoor activities

Today, the Tidal Basin is off-limits to swimmers but in the early 1900s it was basically the go-to pool.How it worked: The Bathing Beach on the Tidal Basin opened in 1918, thanks to one very sweaty U.S. senator from Nebraska and an act of Congress, WETA <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://boundarystones.weta.org/2015/07/21/cooling-tidal-basin" data-vars-content-id="1f737dc0-1159-4242-9308-e6d37c77ff58" data-vars-headline="Remember When: People swam in the Tidal Basin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://boundarystones.weta.org/2015/07/21/cooling-tidal-basin" target="_blank">reports</a>.

News

Warmer weather calls for spreading a blanket on the grass, lathering up in bug spray and settling in for an outdoor movie.

Here are our picks for outdoor movie series around D.C.:

Free movie nights at Marie Reed Elementary School Soccer Field run through June. 

Movies start at sunset around 9pm and include favorites like "I, Tonya" (May 28), "Bend It Like Beckham" (June 4).

Moviegoers can also get discounted dinners from Adams Morgan restaurants to bring to the shows, including 10% off meals from the Line hotel restaurant and $8 Code Red cheese plates. 

The Congressional Cemetery is bringing back its iconic movie nights this year. Films run spooky, including "Beetlejuice" (May 31) and "The Sixth Sense" (July 5).

Reservations are required with a suggested donation of $10.

Moviegoers should bring their own chairs and blankets and are also permitted to bring food and drinks, including alcohol, which will also be on sale.

Grab a seat at The Wharf's Transit Pier for their movie series. No tickets or reservations are required, but seats for each 7:30pm movie are first-come, first-serve.

The lineup is full of crowd-pleasers like "Mean Girls" (June 13) and "The Boys in the Boat" (Aug. 8).

Moviegoers are free to bring their own food, or buy drinks and snacks at the Cantina Bambina concession window.

Catch jumbotron-size blockbusters at the Buzzard Point stadium. The family-friendly movies begin at 7:30pm (gates open at 6:30pm). Concessions are available to purchase but no outside food or alcohol is allowed. 

Free passes are available to reserve two weeks before each movie. 

Instead of sports, you'll be watching films like "The Little Mermaid" (May 30) and "The Marvels" (June 27).

Where to watch outdoor movies around D.C.

Now showing in a park, stadium and cemetery near you.

Sunset Cinema Series at The Wharf. Photo: Patrick Revord

Washington, D.C.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Warmer weather" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/04/24/summer-weather-2024-heat" data-vars-content-id="30fa96e3-4da0-499c-8510-d263a2e3c83e" data-vars-headline="Where to watch outdoor movies around D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/04/24/summer-weather-2024-heat" target="_self">Warmer weather</a> calls for spreading a blanket on the grass, lathering up in bug spray and settling in for an outdoor movie.Here are our picks for outdoor movie series around D.C.:

Things to Do

Former President Jimmy Carter passed away Sunday at the age of 100. A state funeral will be held for him at the National Cathedral on Jan. 9.

While he only served one term as president from 1977 to 1981, he is remembered for a long and impactful political career.

Here's what happened when Carter came to Washington:

Amy Carter with her parents in 1980. Photo: UPI amk/Valerie Hodgson

He enrolled his daughter Amy in public school 

Carter made good on a campaign promise to enroll his daughter in D.C. public schools.

Amy, then 9, began attending Stevens, a historically Black public school in Foggy Bottom, just days after her father took office in 1977. She transferred to Hardy middle school in 1978.

She was the first child of a president since Teddy Roosevelt to attend a D.C. public school, according to The Washington Post.

Former President Jimmy Carter during an Interfaith Prayer Service (held in honor of the hostages being held in Iran) at the Washington National Cathedral in 1979. Photo: Diana Walker/Getty Images

From the time he entered office until the end of his term, Carter and his family regularly attended the First Baptist church on 16th St. NW.

In fact, the president taught a monthly Sunday school class for young adults on the sanctuary balcony during his term, Pastor Julie Pennington-Russell tells Axios.

"Faith was deeply connected to the person he is at the core," Pennington-Russell says.

Carter even taught a class in the midst of negotiating a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, Christi Harlan, volunteer spokesperson for the church, tells Axios.

Harlan says Carter described the negotiations in class, and told students that the leaders had agreed on one thing: They all worship the same god.

 Carter takes part in a Habitat for Humanity project October 4, 2010 in D.C. Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

In 1992 and 2010, the former president and First Lady Rosalynn Carter returned to D.C. to help build affordable homes with Habitat for Humanity.

The homes were built on Benning Road Southeast and in Ivy City. Many still stand today, WJLA reported.

"You saw the love, the love that [Carter] gave people," homeowner Hope Gibson told NBC4.

Here's a look at Jimmy Carter's life in D.C.

The former president passed away Sunday at 100.

Former President Carter at the Kennedy Center in 2011. Photo: William B. Plowman/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Former President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jimmy Carter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/29/jimmy-carter-dead-us-president-obituary" data-vars-content-id="4cd31ccc-77f4-48fe-9c6e-c2e7d02167b8" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s a look at Jimmy Carter&#x27;s life in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/29/jimmy-carter-dead-us-president-obituary" target="_self">Jimmy Carter</a> passed away Sunday at the age of 100. A state funeral will be held for him at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Cathedral" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/30/jimmy-carter-funeral-plans" data-vars-content-id="4cd31ccc-77f4-48fe-9c6e-c2e7d02167b8" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s a look at Jimmy Carter&#x27;s life in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/30/jimmy-carter-funeral-plans" target="_self">National Cathedral</a> on Jan. 9.<ul><li>While he only served one term as president from 1977 to 1981, he is remembered for a long and impactful political career.</li></ul>Here&#x27;s what happened when Carter came to Washington:

Politics

We asked local bookstores what books should be on our summer reading lists.

🪵 Solid State Books: "Loot" by Tania James.

A historical fiction novel by a D.C.-based author about a young woodcarver whose prized work is stolen by British forces.

🗣️ Politics & Prose: "Do Tell" by Lindsay Lynch.

A gossipy romp through Hollywood's Golden Age, written by an author originally from D.C. who briefly worked at the bookstore. Politics & Prose tells Axios that Lynch wrote the first draft in their break room.

⭐ East City Bookshop: "The Daydreams" by Laura Hankin.

A fun read about the reunification of stars from a popular teen show — 30 years later.

👀 Kramers: "What the Neighbors Saw" by Melissa Adelman.

A new thrilling mystery set in the D.C. area. When a devoted father is found dead on the banks of the Potomac River, the community is divided and suspicions grow.

Books to read this summer, according to D.C. bookstores

A gossipy romp through Hollywood's golden age, and a new thrilling mystery set in the D.C. area.

Photo: Calla Kessler/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Books

We asked local bookstores what books should be on our summer reading lists.🪵 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Solid State Books" data-vars-click-url="https://www.solidstatebooksdc.com/" data-vars-content-id="53c07b0c-d791-4ae6-b77c-0a8c8723b29c" data-vars-headline="Books to read this summer, according to D.C. bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.solidstatebooksdc.com/" target="_blank">Solid State Books</a>: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Loot" data-vars-click-url="https://bookshop.org/p/books/loot/18868625?ean=9780593535974" data-vars-content-id="53c07b0c-d791-4ae6-b77c-0a8c8723b29c" data-vars-headline="Books to read this summer, according to D.C. bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/loot/18868625?ean=9780593535974" target="_blank">Loot</a>&quot; by Tania James.<ul><li>A historical fiction novel by a D.C.-based author about a young woodcarver whose prized work is stolen by British forces.</li></ul>

D.C. is a book town, equally obsessed with our Little Free Libraries as we are with our local bookshops.

Why it matters: With extreme weather and smoke keeping many of us indoors, it's as good a time as any to catch up on those books you totally promised you'd read this summer. But you don't have to do it alone!

What's happening: Scroll through TikTok or other social media apps and you'll soon find #BookTok, a devoted community of readers who have revived a Luddite pastime for many — and turned it into a group thing.

What they're saying: "Popularity and interest in reading has always remained constant despite our phones and screening services getting in the way," says My Nguyen, assistant manager at D.C. Public Library's West End branch.

However, she says, access to book clubs has grown in recent years thanks to the proliferation of video chatting, which means people can gather without being constrained to a physical space.

State of play: There are plenty of book clubs across the city that can keep you on target with your reading, and cater to your favorite genres. Here are a few of the communities on our radar:

BookTok Book Club — a D.C. Public Library group that reads books popular on TikTok. It meets every month at the Southeast Neighborhood Library branch.

Bold Fork Books in Mount Pleasant runs a club focused on cookbooks (with the option to bring a dish!). The next meeting is Aug. 2 at 7pm.

Sci-fi, queer lit, romance, social justice, and young-adults-for-adults monthly book clubs are offered at East City Books.

Solid State Books has a horror book club that meets every third Wednesday monthly, and — very intriguing — another one focused on books we love to hate, so come every third Monday of the month (every other month) with the books you refused to finish or hate-read.

Poetry lovers can find their club at Lost City Books every first Wednesday of the month or visit a club devoted to books translated from other languages.

💭 Chelsea's thought bubble: Since joining a book club, my appetite for reading non-journalism-related words — which has wavered over the years — is back. Not only am I excited to talk about our monthly pick with my friends, I also get great recommendations.

Between the lines: D.C. Public Library patrons can sign up for Discover Summer, an all-ages summer reading program that tracks your reading on the Beanstack app.

Pro tip: You get entered for a raffle that could earn you tickets to a D.C. United game, Artechouse, and the International Spy Museum.

The bottom line: "When you share a table and a text with other people, this gives you the opportunity to share ideas, to learn, to listen, to grow and maybe to broaden your perspective," Nguyen says.

A D.C. book club for every genre

It's as good of a time as any to catch up on those books you promised you'd read this summer. But you don't have to do it alone!

Illustration of a glowing keyhole on an old book.

D.C. is a book town, equally obsessed with our Little Free Libraries as we are with our local bookshops.Why it matters: With extreme weather and smoke keeping many of us indoors, it&#x27;s as good a time as any to catch up on those books you totally promised you&#x27;d read this summer. But you don&#x27;t have to do it alone!What&#x27;s happening: Scroll through TikTok or other social media apps and you&#x27;ll soon find #BookTok, a devoted community of readers who have revived <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a Luddite pastime for many" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/01/books/tiktok-books-booktok.html" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/01/books/tiktok-books-booktok.html" target="_blank">a Luddite pastime for many</a> — and turned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="it into a group thing" data-vars-click-url="https://news.northeastern.edu/2022/08/08/booktok-tiktok/" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.northeastern.edu/2022/08/08/booktok-tiktok/" target="_blank">it into a group thing</a>.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;Popularity and interest in reading has always remained constant despite our phones and screening services getting in the way,&quot; says My Nguyen, assistant manager at D.C. Public Library&#x27;s West End branch.<ul><li>However, she says, access to book clubs has grown in recent years thanks to the proliferation of video chatting, which means people can gather without being constrained to a physical space.</li></ul>State of play: There are plenty of book clubs across the city that can keep you on target with your reading, and cater to your favorite genres. Here are a few of the communities on our radar:<ul><li>BookTok Book Club — a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="D.C. Public Library" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dclibrary.org/attend-event/book-clubs" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dclibrary.org/attend-event/book-clubs" target="_blank">D.C. Public Library</a> group that reads books popular on TikTok. It meets <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="every month" data-vars-click-url="https://dclibrary.libnet.info/events?term=BookTok+Book+Club&amp;r=months&amp;n=4" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dclibrary.libnet.info/events?term=BookTok+Book+Club&amp;r=months&amp;n=4" target="_blank">every month</a> at the Southeast Neighborhood Library branch.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bold Fork Books in Mount Pleasant runs a" data-vars-click-url="https://www.boldforkbooks.com/" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.boldforkbooks.com/" target="_blank">Bold Fork Books in Mount Pleasant runs a</a> club focused on cookbooks (with the option to bring a dish!). The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="next meeting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bold-fork-cookbook-club-yiayia-by-anastasia-miari-tickets-668292108687" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bold-fork-cookbook-club-yiayia-by-anastasia-miari-tickets-668292108687" target="_blank">next meeting</a> is Aug. 2 at 7pm.</li><li>Sci-fi, queer lit, romance, social justice, and young-adults-for-adults monthly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="book clubs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eastcitybookshop.com/book-clubs" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eastcitybookshop.com/book-clubs" target="_blank">book clubs</a> are offered at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East City Books" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eastcitybookshop.com/book-clubs" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eastcitybookshop.com/book-clubs" target="_blank">East City Books</a>.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Solid State Books " data-vars-click-url="https://www.solidstatebooksdc.com/book-clubs" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.solidstatebooksdc.com/book-clubs" target="_blank">Solid State Books </a>has a horror book club that meets every third Wednesday monthly, and — very intriguing — another one focused on books we love to hate, so come every third Monday of the month (every other month) with the books you refused to finish or hate-read.</li><li>Poetry lovers can find their club at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lost City Books" data-vars-click-url="https://lostcitybookstore.com/poetry-book-club-series" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lostcitybookstore.com/poetry-book-club-series" target="_blank">Lost City Books</a> every first Wednesday of the month or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="visit a club" data-vars-click-url="https://lostcitybookstore.com/in-translation-book-club-series" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lostcitybookstore.com/in-translation-book-club-series" target="_blank">visit a club</a> devoted to books translated from other languages.</li></ul>💭 Chelsea&#x27;s thought bubble: Since joining a book club, my appetite for reading non-journalism-related words — which has wavered over the years — is back. Not only am I excited to talk about our monthly pick with my friends, I also get great recommendations.Between the lines: D.C. Public Library patrons can sign up for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Discover Summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dclibrary.org/discover-summer-2023" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dclibrary.org/discover-summer-2023" target="_blank">Discover Summer</a>, an all-ages summer reading program that tracks your reading on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Beanstack" data-vars-click-url="https://www.beanstack.com/" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.beanstack.com/" target="_blank">Beanstack</a> app.Pro tip: You get entered for a raffle that could earn you tickets to a D.C. United game, Artechouse, and the International Spy Museum.The bottom line: &quot;When you share a table and a text with other people, this gives you the opportunity to share ideas, to learn, to listen, to grow and maybe to broaden your perspective,&quot; Nguyen says.

Chelsea Cirruzzo

Featured stories

Here's a look at Jimmy Carter's life in D.C.

Where to watch outdoor movies around D.C.

Remember When: People swam in the Tidal Basin

A D.C. book club for every genre

Books to read this summer, according to D.C. bookstores