The British explorer who navigated the Columbia River named it after his ship, the Columbia The British then named that territory the "Columbia District", not giving a shit about causing confusion with the District of Columbia (possibly an act of passive aggression at the US)
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When this territory was split in half between the US and Canada after the 54-40 or Fight! crisis was resolved with the Oregon Treaty of 1846, the northern part became known as "British Columbia" And they told the inhabitants of the southern half they had to change their name
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So, the inhabitants of the former Columbia District, bowing to the District of Columbia's earlier claim to the name, even as they groused they were named after a geographical feature and DC was not, graciously agreed to pick a new name
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And decided to become the Territory of Washington Since nobody could criticize a choice to honor our nation's first President with the name of a new future state
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So the inhabitants of the Maryland suburb of Washington DC decided to return the favor and pay homage to that great natural wonder Mt. Rainier It's kind of hilarious
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Luckily H.R. 51 seeks to change that. Hopefully, Douglas Commonwealth is easier to tell apart from Washington!
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The city itself would presumably still be just "Washington," so I imagine the confusion will still persist.
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Also, the diff states (WA & MD pronounce Mt Ranier v differently to help us keep them in order how nice of them
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