Willard Hotel Washington DC

aka InterContinental the Willard in Washington D.C.

1401 Pennsylvania Avenue by Pershing Park

"The birthplace of Washington DC lobbying efforts"

Map showing the Willard Hotel in DC

Three important historical facts about the Willard Hotel

"Where lobbying was born"

Ulysses S. Grant was a famous Union general during the American Civil War and eventually became the 18th president of the United States, stayed frequently at the Willard. He would relax in the hotel’s lobby where various people from both inside and outside Washington DC would approach him seeking political favors. This practice led to the coining of the term "lobbyist" to indicate the type of activity, and person, who would need contact with powerful political personalities in order to persuade them to help

Civil Rights and Martin Luther King Jr

In August 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. stayed at the Willard Hotel before delivering his famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington. It is said that King finished writing the final version of his speech in his room at the Willard.

Historic Peace Negotiations

The Willard Hotel has hosted numerous important peace negotiations and international conferences such as the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1898, which ended the Spanish-American War. Diplomats have often used this famous hotel as their base while conducting negotiations in Washington DC.