Could these DC steps to nowhere be the inspiration behind the name ‘Watergate?’

The obscure backstory behind the District's most random set of stairs

By Matt Kaufax
January 9, 2025 | 5:20 AM

[connatix_element_embed script_id=e0af8964d71c44cf83e3cbbf2ca8091c player_id=7bc491b4-922b-4e8d-b1b1-150648e80442 video_id=c8ff5d64-aaf6-4ed6-9d6d-cfa77b856240 align=right]

The term 鈥淲atergate鈥� has become synonymous with the infamous political scandal that brought down former President Richard Nixon in 1974.

But have you ever thought about where the name of the Watergate Hotel came from?

In today鈥檚 episode of 鈥淢att About Town,鈥� 小萝莉影视鈥檚 Matt Kaufax visits a staircase you’ve probably seen (but never really thought too much about) next to the Lincoln Memorial 鈥� as part two of his dive into Watergate鈥檚 origins.

Join Matt 鈥� and a familiar Park Ranger friend 鈥� as they sprint some steps, and explore the obscure backstory behind one of the District’s most random staircases.

Hear 鈥淢att About Town鈥� first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM!聽

If you have a story idea you鈥檇 like Matt to cover,聽email him, or chat with him on听补苍诲.

Check out all 鈥淢att About Town鈥� episodes听丑别谤别!

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

Why preserving Shakespeare is still important today

By Matt Kaufax
August 25, 2026 | 5:59 AM

Follow 小萝莉影视鈥檚 Matt Kaufax as he explores hidden gems, local landmarks and unique stories across the D.C. area every week. New episodes of 小萝莉影视's "Matt About Town" segment are released each Tuesday and Thursday. Why Shakespeare? The answer to that question is a deeper one than you think. Over the past two weeks on "Matt About Town," 小萝莉影视's Matt Kaufax took you behind the scenes at D.C.'s Folger Shakespeare Library 鈥� with videos looking at the earliest published collections of William Shakespeare's most famous plays, the library's rare vaults where these works are stored, and even how these books are preserved.