George Washington selected the site for the U.S. Capitol in 1791 and laid its cornerstone in 1793. Its evolution required 170 years. Here are the historical milestones. 1800: Congress moved into the nearly finished North Wing. 1811: South Wing completed. 1814: British troops set the Capitol ablaze. 1819: Restoration completed. 1826-1856: Life of the first dome. 1857: House of Representatives finished. 1859: Senate building done. 1863: Statue of Freedom placed on top of the new dome. 1868: Capitol extended. 1891: Marble terraces added. 1898: A gas explosion. 1962: The East front was expanded resulting in this view today. 2008: The 580,000 square foot Visitor Center opened underground.