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is an unincorporated community located in western Fairfax County and southeastern Loudoun County of Northern Virginia. Recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census designated place (CDP), the community population was 41,041 as of the 2000 census. It is named after the town of the same name in France.
Chantilly is part of the Washington metropolitan area and is approximately 24 miles (39 km) from Washington, D.C.
Chantilly is home to Washington Dulles International Airport, which serves Washington, D.C. It is also the location of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center annex of the National Air & Space Museum and the headquarters of the National Reconnaissance Office.
During the American Civil War on September 1, 1862, the Battle of Chantilly (or Ox Hill) was fought nearby. Following his victory at the Second Battle of Bull Run (or Second Manassas), Confederate General Robert E. Lee directed Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson to cross Bull Run on August 31 and sweep around the position of Major General John Pope's Union Army of Virginia at Centreville. Reaching the Little River Turnpike northwest of Centreville, Jackson turned southeastward toward Fairfax Court House (now Fairfax, Virginia) to strike in rear of Pope's army.
During September 1, Pope, apprised of Jackson's movement, began to withdraw toward Fairfax Court House. Late in the day, Jackson clashed with Union forces under Brigadier General Isaac Stevens and Major General Philip Kearny near Ox Hill, west of Fairfax. During the ensuing battle, which was fought amid a raging storm, both Union generals Stevens and Kearny were killed. The fighting ended at dusk, and Pope's army continued its withdrawal to Fairfax and subsequently to the Washington defenses.
Although commercial and residential development now covers most of the Chantilly (Ox Hill) battlefield, a small county park preserves a five acre (19,000 m²) portion of the battle site.