<P> Seventy - four years before the start of the story, a civil war was waged against the Capitol, led by District 13 which was a center of military--industrial production . The Capitol put down the rebellion and scorched District 13 to ashes, ostensibly wiping out its residents, or so they thought . The government refers to this war as "the Dark Days", and to punish the rebellious districts and remind all generations of the Capitol's power, instituted an annual pageant known as the "Hunger Games" for which each district is compelled to provide one male and one female "tribute" between the ages of 12 and 18, chosen by lottery . The twenty - four tributes are sent to an arena and forced to fight to the death, until a single victor remains . </P> <P> Panem has been led for more than 25 years by President Coriolanus Snow . In Mockingjay, it is revealed that District 13's population was not wiped out, but retreated underground and is currently led by Snow's political rival, President Alma Coin . After the 75th and final Hunger Games, Coin leads a second rebellion against the Capitol, which is successful . She is then assassinated by Katniss Everdeen and is succeeded by Commander Paylor, who presides over a reestablished democratic republic . </P> <P> The Capitol is populated by citizens who, like the ancient Romans as observed by the satirical poet Juvenal circa A.D. 100, have sold their civic responsibility and capacity for self - government in return for panem et circenses ("bread and circuses"). </P> <P> Removed from the deprivation and oppression of the districts, the pampered and hedonistic civilians are generally preoccupied with extravagant fashion, parties, and mass entertainment like the Hunger Games . Compared to the Districts, the Capitol is extremely wealthy and derives most of the benefits of advanced technologies such as computers, hover planes, and high - speed trains . Visiting tributes who have grown up with the constant threat of starvation and poverty, are shocked by what they consider wasteful decadence in the Capitol . For example, the selection of dishes served at parties is commonly far greater than one person could sample, so it is usual to provide emetic beverages, allowing guests to continue eating . Due to this extravagant lifestyle, it is rare for Capitol citizens to join the Peacekeepers, as it requires its soldiers to avoid marriage for twenty years and is often considered a punishment to avoid spending time in jail . In addition, residents of other districts who are considered criminals or traitors may be forced into servitude in the Capitol and converted into Avoxes, a brutal form of punishment in which offenders have their tongue surgically removed . </P>

What is district 2 known for in the hunger games