City Out of Wilderness facts for kids

City Out of Wilderness is a short documentary film from 1974. It was made in the United States by Francis Thompson. This film was so good that it was nominated for an Academy Award! An Academy Award is a very famous prize given for excellence in movies.

The movie tells the story of Washington, D.C.. It shows how the city grew from its very first days up to the 1970s. The United States Capitol Historical Society helped produce this interesting film.

About the Film

What is "City Out of Wilderness"?

City Out of Wilderness is a special kind of movie called a documentary. Documentaries are films that show real facts and events. This film is about 28 minutes long. It takes you on a journey through time to see how Washington, D.C., became the important city it is today.

Who Made This Film?

The film was produced by Francis Thompson. His company, Francis Thompson, Inc., worked with the United States Capitol Historical Society. This society helps protect and share the history of the United States Capitol, which is a very important building in Washington, D.C. The film was distributed by a company called Films Inc.

Why Was It Important?

Being nominated for an Academy Award is a huge honor! City Out of Wilderness was nominated for "Best Documentary Short Subject." This means it was recognized as one of the best short documentary films of its year. It shows how well the film told the story of Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.: A City's Story

How Washington, D.C. Began

The film explores the early history of Washington, D.C. This city was chosen to be the capital of the United States. It was a new idea to create a special district for the government. The land was picked by George Washington, the first president.

The city was designed by Pierre Charles L'Enfant. He planned wide streets and open spaces. It was a big project to build a capital city from what was mostly wilderness. The film shows how this grand plan slowly came to life.

Growing Through the Years

Over time, Washington, D.C., grew and changed. The film covers different periods of its development. It shows how buildings like the United States Capitol and the White House were built. These buildings are symbols of American government.

The movie also looks at how the city changed for its people. It grew from a small town into a busy capital. By the 1970s, when the film was made, D.C. was a modern city. It was a place where many important decisions were made.

Fun Facts

• The film's title, City Out of Wilderness, perfectly describes D.C.'s beginnings. It truly was built from a wild area.
• The United States Capitol Historical Society works to educate people about the history of the Capitol building.
• Documentary films like this one help us learn about history in an exciting way.