51st: Is D.C. Statehood Even Legal?

The city's chances at statehood have improved in 2021, but there’s still one big obstacle: the filibuster. This is a special bonus episode of 51st, from WAMU's What's With Washington. To support the show, visit wamu.org/supportwhatswith.

Join Mikaela for another night of virtual trivia on November 19th! Test your knowledge of the Washington region along with special guest Rachel Kurzius of DCist. You’ll also get a chance to win a pair of What’s With Washington argyle socks. The trivia event is on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. ET. It’s free and open to everyone. To participate, please pre-register at wamu.org/events by Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. All registered participants will receive an email with instructions on how to connect on Zoom. Live closed captioning service will be provided.

What does Washington, D.C.'s future hold? We take a trip to 2030 to find out. Plus, Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood explore why D.C. statehood is so personal for local journalists like them. This is the sixth and final episode of 51st, from WAMU's What's With Washington. To support the show, visit wamu.org/supportwhatswith.

D.C.'s status as a district has drastically altered the lives of some residents, including people convicted of felonies and medical marijuana patients. Formerly incarcerated Washingtonian Jameon Gray and marijuana legalization advocate Adam Eidinger share their stories, and D.C.'s attorney general offers up solutions. This is the fifth episode of 51st, from WAMU's What's With Washington. To support the show, visit wamu.org/supportwhatswith.

Should D.C. become its own state, combine with Maryland or stay the way it is? Most local activists say 51st statehood is the only way to go, but opponents believe it violates the U.S. Constitution — among other issues. Who’s right here? This is the fourth episode of 51st, from WAMU’s What’s With Washington. To support the show, visit wamu.org/supportwhatswith.

The civil rights movement is reshaping D.C.'s push for representation and local control. Will local leaders like Walter Fauntroy and Marion Barry be able to get the city on solid ground? This is the third episode of 51st, from WAMU's What's With Washington. To support the show, visit wamu.org/supportwhatswith.

A Philadelphia mutiny. A secret dinner meeting with three Founding Fathers. A controversial political boss's citywide reorganization plan. To understand Washingtonians' voting rights today, we dive into the city's past. This is the second episode of 51st, from WAMU's What's With Washington.

Three major events in 2020 bring D.C.'s lack of representation into the spotlight: the coronavirus pandemic, protests near the White House against police brutality, and a historic statehood vote in Congress. This is the first episode of 51st, from WAMU's What's With Washington.

51st is a series about Washingtonians’ fight for representation. D.C.'s 700,000 residents don't get to elect a voting representative to Congress, and the federal government can block their laws. 51st will trace how racism, party politics, and even an attempted mutiny in Pennsylvania have stood in the way of the city’s path to full representation. We’ll also try to figure out if D.C. has a real shot at achieving statehood today. Could D.C. ever be the 51st state?

Join Mikaela for another night of What’s With Washington Virtual Trivia on October 1st! Test your knowledge of the Washington region’s history, geography, culture and ...hint hint... D.C.’s push for statehood during this live Zoom event. You’ll also get a chance to win a pair of What’s With Washington socks. The event is on Thursday, October 1, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. ET. The event is free and open to everyone. To participate, we ask that you pre-register on wamu.org/events by 5 p.m. on October 1st (The event is free, but donations are welcome!). All registered participants will receive an email with instructions on how to connect to our virtual event on Zoom. Live closed captioning service will be provided. Register now at wamu.org/events. See you then!