The first meeting of the Washington Metropolitan Regional Conference is held in the District Building in Washington, D.C. on April 11. Founding members included the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, District of Columbia, City of Falls Church, Fairfax County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County.

The Conference launched its first regional campaign--the standardization of taxi charges across jurisdictional lines.

The Conference voted to change its name to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, which was more descriptive of its character.

Area state and local governments created the Transportation Planning Board (TPB) to serve as the single organization to coordinate transportation planning for the region. The TPB made the region eligible to qualify for federal highway construction funds.

The TPB was affiliated with COG. Since then, the TPB has worked closely with COG on cooperative planning initiatives for the states and local communities in the region.

With a grant from the Ford Foundation, COG and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey organized the first national conference of regional councils.

President Lyndon Johnson signed the D.C. Air Pollution Act, based on a model created by COG. The law set a precedent for local governments throughout the nation.

Neighboring jurisdictions responded to riots in the District through a mutual aid agreement sponsored by COG's Fire Chiefs Council. About one-third of the fires were fought by suburban units.

COG's Capital Flyer provided commuters with the first regional express bus service. Several lines operated between suburban shopping centers and downtown job centers.

COG began issuing the daily readings of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone in the air. Since then, the Air Quality Index became a fixture of area news and weather reports.

Potomac River restoration began--several key meetings held at COG. Billions of dollars were invested in this multi-year, regional effort that produced a dramatic improvement in the river's water quality.

Public outreach and special shows alerted area residents about substance abuse during Drug Awareness Month. The effort was conceived by the Washington television industry and coordinated through COG.

COG adopted the Fair Share Housing Plan to promote affordable housing opportunities throughout the region. Thanks to the plan, the region received bonus federal housing assistance.

COG helped launch the Commuter Club, a major car and van pool program, designed to reduce traffic congestion in the region.

COG established its Cooperative Forecasting Program. Its future employment, households and population projections have been used by area governments to guide planning decisions.

Metrorail system opened. Special COG/TPB/Metro task force examined alternatives to the adopted Metrorail plan and decided the system should be built to its planned 103-mile length.

The Water Supply Summit Conference, cosponsored by COG, highlighted the area's need for a reserve water supply and marks the first time regional organizations act together on the issue.

The District mayor, Maryland and Virginia governors met at COG and agreed on an "odd-even" gasoline rationing system to help area residents respond the Oil Embargo of 1979.

COG launched the Cooperative Purchasing program, which has saved area jurisdictions tens of millions of dollars through joint purchases of heating oil, diesel fuel and other equipment for the region's governments.

The COG Board of Directors asked the Federal Aviation Administration to test a Scatter Plan to distribute takeoffs from National Airport over a larger area. Due to community opposition, the test was canceled after 10 weeks.

Area governments, working through COG, decided how each would use the Blue Plains wastewater plant in future years. The Blue Plains Intermunicipal Agreement was estimated to have saved participating governments and agencies more than $250 million.

New COG Headquarters opened on North Capitol Street and illustrated the organization's permanent place in the National Capital Region's local government community.

The Washington Area Housing Partnership was founded to preserve affordable housing developments.

COG, WRC-TV and Freddie Mac launched the Wednesday's Child program featuring children with special needs that are eligible for adoption.

COG sponsored an antiviolence summit to develop legislative and enforcement strategies to combat street and domestic violence.

COG published the Report of the Partnership for Regional Excellence, a product of the 200-member visioning project, which recommended a better integration of land use and transportation planning.

The Metropolitan Washington Alternative Fuels Public-Private Partnership, established by COG, was recognized as a national model for communities looking to develop public-private commitments to promote alternative fuels transportation.

COG launched the Metropolitan Area Treatment Enhancement System (MATES), a multi-year, federally funded pilot project to provide treatment and support services to women throughout the region who abused alcohol and drugs.

COG launched, GETTING THERE, an ambitious public outreach campaign that used focus groups, brainstorming sessions, and public opinion surveys to develop consensus about a bold transportation vision for the region for the first half of the 21st century.

COG in cooperation with the Baltimore Metropolitan Council established the Ozone Action Days program to alert citizens of poor air quality and encourage voluntary actions to improve the air.

The TPB adopted its Vision, capping a nine-year focus on growth and transportation that started with the 1989 Conference on Growth and Transportation.

Terrorists attacked Pentagon on September 11. Coordination plans and mutual aid agreements help region respond to attacks, but improvements are needed. After the Pentagon attack, COG made homeland security its top priority.

COG galvanized region's emergency preparedness efforts. The COG Board approved the Regional Emergency Coordination Plan (RECP) recognized as a national model.

The Regional Incident Communication and Coordination System, a key element of the RECP, was successfully used to help first responders communicate during the Beltway Snipers Attacks.

Regional leaders and first responders successfully communicated during the Presidents' Day Snowstorm and Hurricane Isabel.

COG and the Freddie Mac Foundation launched the first annual Foster Parent Gala to honor the hundreds of area residents, who open their homes to children in need.

TPB released the "Time to Act" report to call attention to the region's lack of transportation funding, specifically the Metro system's short-term needs.

In response to a spike in gang activity, COG organized a Regional Gang Summit to share prevention, intervention and enforcement best practices.

At the request of its local governments, COG undertook a special study on the regional impact of the Base Realignment and Closing (BRAC) Commission recommendations.

Metropolitan Washington experienced no "code red" health alerts for the first time, proof that efforts to clean the region's are have been working.

The TPB's aerial study analyzed highway traffic congestion to help guide future transportation planning. The study is performed every three years.

COG celebrated a half century of regional partnership during a year-long 50th anniversary celebration.

COG created the a Climate Change Steering Committee to advise the Board on the development of a regional climate change program.