All eyes are on the US Capitol Building tonight after Donald Trump supporters stormed it in a bid to stop Joe Biden being certified as the next president.

It’s clearly a monumental moment in world politics, but many people on this side of the pond have found themselves Googling ‘What is the Capitol building?’

Let us save you a red face at the (virtual) office tomorrow.

What is the Capitol Building?

The US Capitol, also known as the Capitol Building, is the meeting place of the United States Congress, which it has housed since 1800.

The Capitol is where Congress meets to write US laws. It’s also where presidents are inaugurated, and where they deliver their annual State of the Union messages.

Located on Capitol Hill, in Washington DC, the iconic building is decorated with historic images and paintings of iconic figures in the nation’s history.

The House of Representatives sit in the south wing and the Senate in the north wing.

According to its official website: ‘The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., is a symbol of the American people and their government, the meeting place of the nation’s legislature.

‘The Capitol also houses an important collection of American art, and it is an architectural achievement in its own right. It is a working office building as well as a tourist attraction visited by millions every year.’

The building is open to the public, although the scenes currently taking place are unprecedented, as crowds have never stormed it in such a manner before.

Usually, things are calmer, with the public visiting it via organised tours which take place most days except Sundays and public holidays.

How far apart are the White House and the Capitol Building?

The White House and Capitol Building are two miles apart.

The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C, while the Capitol can be found on First St SE, Washington, DC 20004.

US Capitol riots

A large group of Donald Trump supporters have stormed the US Capitol building to try and stop Joe Biden being certified as the next president.

Here are some of the main updates from the evening of January 6:

• Trump supporters storm US Capitol to try and stop Joe Biden being named next president
• Mike Pence rushed to secure location as he calls for end of rioting
• Woman ‘shot in the neck’ as Trump supporters storm Capitol building
• Donald Trump sends self-pitying video asking ‘very special’ protesters to ‘go home’
• US representatives draw up plans to impeach and oust Donald Trump

• Twitter blocks interaction with Donald Trump’s video on Capitol protests
• Cardi B, Mark Ruffalo and Piers Morgan lead stars blasting pro-Trump protesters for storming US Capitol

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