Alexandria’s July 9 Story: Should It Be a City Holiday?
The Date Marks One of the Most Pivotal—and Complex—Moments in Alexandria's History
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Have you ever wondered why Alexandria is part of Virginia instead of Washington, D.C.? Every year, July 9 quietly passes on the calendar, but for Alexandria, it marks one of the most significant dates in the city’s history.
On July 9, 1846, Congress approved legislation allowing the City of Alexandria and Alexandria County to leave the District of Columbia and return to the Commonwealth of Virginia—a process known as retrocession. The decision permanently changed Alexandria’s future and remains one of the city’s defining historical milestones.
As Alexandria celebrates its 275th anniversary and America prepares for its 250th birthday, July 9 offers an opportunity to reflect on the city’s remarkable history, its achievements, and the complex events that shaped it.
Why Did Alexandria Leave Washington, D.C.?
When the federal district was established in 1791, Alexandria’s leaders welcomed becoming part of the nation’s new capital. Many believed inclusion in the District of Columbia would strengthen the local economy and elevate the city’s importance.
For a time, those hopes became reality.
But following the War of 1812, Alexandria’s fortunes declined as Baltimore and New York emerged as larger commercial centers. Many residents also grew frustrated that they lacked voting representation in Congress while living within the federal district.
At the same time, another issue influenced the movement for retrocession. By the 1820s, Alexandria had become one of the nation’s largest centers for the domestic slave trade. Many influential residents—including slave traders and business leaders—feared Congress might eventually abolish slavery and the slave trade within the District of Columbia. Returning to Virginia’s jurisdiction was widely viewed by those supporters as a way to protect those economic interests.
These competing motivations—concerns over representation, economic decline, and the preservation of slavery—combined to fuel the push for retrocession.
The Historic Vote
Congress approved retrocession legislation on July 9, 1846, allowing Alexandria residents to decide the issue through a local referendum.
The vote took place on September 1–2, 1846, at the Alexandria Courthouse.
The results were decisive:
- 763 votes in favor
- 222 votes opposed
On September 7, 1846, President James K. Polk officially declared the retrocession complete, returning Alexandria and Alexandria County to Virginia.
Explore Alexandria’s History
Visitors and residents can experience this history firsthand by exploring several significant local sites:
Home to the original southern cornerstone of the District of Columbia, placed in 1791, Jones Point Park marks one of the earliest physical boundaries of the nation’s capital.
Today, Oronoco Bay Park serves as one of Alexandria’s premier waterfront gathering places, hosting birthday celebrations, historical reenactments, and community events that honor both Alexandria’s 275-year history and America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
Located at 1315 Duke Street, the Freedom House Museum preserves the history of one of the nation’s largest domestic slave-trading operations and tells the stories of the thousands of enslaved people who passed through Alexandria during the 19th century.
Alexandria also shares ties to the French and Indian War. Following the 1755 Braddock Campaign, Dr. James Craik, who treated the young George Washington during the Battle of the Monongahela after their retreat on — you guess it — July 9, 1755, later settled in Alexandria, becoming one of Washington’s closest lifelong friends and personal physician.
A Day Worth Remembering
Whether or not July 9 ever becomes an official city holiday, it remains one of Alexandria’s most consequential anniversaries.
The date represents far more than a boundary change. It tells the story of a city shaped by ambition, political change, economic uncertainty, difficult truths, and the continuing evolution of American democracy.
Remembering July 9 means recognizing Alexandria’s full history—both the accomplishments worth celebrating and the challenges that continue to inform its identity today.
