Washington Canal Groundbreaking Ceremony In May of 1810 President James Madison broke ground for the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/41">Washington Canal</a> amidst <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/341">city officials and citizens crowded</a> at New Jersey Avenue SE. The Canal was part of the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/168">original city plan</a> from 1791, but work stalled until 1809 when Congress chartered a new company to <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/266">complete the canal</a>. President Madison, the president of the company, and the city mayor each dug a small hole with a shovel at the groundbreaking. As a horse and plow began digging the canal in earnest, onlookers celebrated with enthusiasm and enjoyed free refreshments under a large tent. <em>National Intelligencer</em> (Washington, DC) 5/2/1810 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1800-1829">1800-1829</a>