While it certainly is enjoyable to slap someone with your glove and exclaim: “I demand satisfaction. I challenge you to a duel!” when you are not getting your way, it turns out you cannot do that in Washington. In an early blow for home rule, Congress prohibited dueling in the District of Columbia on this day in 1839. Please keep this in mind the next you have a disagreement with someone while within the Federal City.
Source: The Times: On this Day: Monday, February 20th