Congress | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/congress/RSS feed for CongressenTue, 08 Sep 2026 11:45:00 +0000How Did the Nation Get Its Name? Other Suggestions Included the United Colonies, Columbia and the United States of Alleghaniahttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-did-the-nation-get-its-name-other-suggestions-included-the-united-colonies-columbia-and-the-united-states-of-alleghania-180989435/The nascent country adopted its name 250 years ago, on September 9, 1776. Americans have debated the moniker ever since. One congressman even proposed the "United States of the Earth"Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-did-the-nation-get-its-name-other-suggestions-included-the-united-colonies-columbia-and-the-united-states-of-alleghania-180989435/