Asteroids and Comets

Historical marker location:

600 Independence Southwest, The National Mall, District of Columbia

( Marker is on Jefferson Drive Southwest west of 4th Street Southwest, on the left when traveling west.)

Marker installed: 2013

The District was a major center of the slave trade in the 19th century: Prior to the Civil War, Washington, D.C. was home to one of the largest slave markets in the country. Slaves were bought and sold in public auctions held in the city, and many prominent politicians and businessmen owned slaves.