As part of a weeklong series of stories, we’re marking 50 years of Home Rule in the District.  President Richard Nixon signed the Home Rule Act on December 24, 1973 granting D.C and its residents to right to elect its own local government, which they did in November 1974. But Home Rule was and remains limited. For example, D.C. still does not have voting representation in Congress.

Historian and co-author of Chocolate City: A History Of Race And Democracy In The Nation’s Capital George Derek Musgrove gets behind the mic to discuss the compromises that led to the passage of the Home Rule Act. He will be joined by Arrington Dixon, who was elected to the very first D.C. Council to talk about what it was like to take on this historic responsibility.

Then, WAMU’s criminal justice reporter Jenny Gathright will discuss how today’s political moves to limit D.C.’s autonomy follow an old playbook. Finally, President of the D.C. Young Democrats and co-founder of 51 for 51 Jamal Holtz talks us through the fight for D.C. representation in Congress and what comes next for D.C. self-governance. Could statehood be on the horizon?

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