United States Capitol, Washington D.C. The first cornerstone was laid on September 18, 1793, during the first large public event staped in the federal city. The original building was completed in 1800. Because of the burning of Washington in 1814, the building was completely restored within five years. The building of the United States Capitol, with the appearance of its first phase of construction. Engraving by Arnout. Panorama Universal. History of the United States of America, from 1st edition of Jean B.G. Roux de Rochelle's Etats-Unis d'Amérique in 1837. Spanish edition, printed in Barcelona, 1850. Later colouration.