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Arlington National Cemetery is America's most hallowed resting ground for over 200,000 American soldiers. Part of the Cemetery was once land owned by George Washington. The Iand eventually came to be under the possession Robert E. Lee. It became a cemetery when Lee allowed soldiers who died from the Civil War to be buried there. Many beloved American people are buried in Arlington each year: active or retired members of the Armed Forces, presidents or former presidents, POW's and many more.
Colonial Williamsburg Williamsburg, once the nation's capital, was once a bustling lively settlement. In 1926, John Rockefeller bought almost all the land and recreated it into an exact replica of Williamsburg straight from the 1700's. Everyday, people dress up and act out the jobs of the townspeople: gunsmith, blacksmith, shoemaker, miller, etc. It is a great way to experience America's past.
The Eisenhower Farm The Eisenhower Farm was originally bought by President Eisenhower as a retirement home, but that idea changed when he was elected president. Whenever a foreign dignitary came to the United States, Eisenhower would bring them to the farm, saying that someone would feel much more comfortable there than in an office.
Ford's Theater Ford's Theater was a very popular place during the Civil War. While President Lincoln was attending a show, an actor named John Wilkes Booth snuck into the president's booth and shot him in the head, mortally wounding him. The President was rushed across the street where he would die the next day. As the years passed, the theater's popularity dropped and the owner was forced to sell to the government. The theater has since been fully restored and is now a National Historic Landmark.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Franklin Roosevelt became president in the middle of the Great Depression. He helped give relief to the unemployed and tried to keep America out of war. However, when Pearl Harbor was attacked, the United States became involved, but Roosevelt did keep in mind the creation of the United Nations so that arguments could be resolved peacefully. Roosevelt died just one month before the end of WWII. The memorial is composed of four open air rooms each depicting his four terms. From waterfalls to statues, the FDR Memorial is a very tranquil place.
Gettysburg The Gettysburg Battle was considered to be a turning point in the Civil War. It forced the Confederates to stop their invasion of the North and destroyed their offensive strategy. However, the casualties were immense, about 50,000 were killed or wounded.
International Spy Museum A privately funded museum that has the most extensive collection of spy artifacts in the nation. Take a self-guided tour and look through gadgets, tools, machines, and disguises used by actual spies. You can also test how good of a spy you are by choosing an identity and trying to pass a screen border guard's test.
Iwo Jima Memorial During World War II, Iwo Jima became an intense battlefield between the Japanese and Americans. If the Americans captured Iwo Jima, it would be a prime location for bombing raids on Tokyo. For 36 days, the Americans attacked from the air while the Japanese battled underground from their elaborate tunnels. A group of Marines managed to climb to the highest points of Iwo Jima and raised the American flag, but it was too small. So five Marines and a Navy Corpsman raised a new larger flag. Joe Rosenthal took a picture of this moment which would eventually become the base for the blueprints of the Iwo Jima Memorial.
Jefferson Memorial Jefferson's memorial was built in the Tidal Basin surrounded by Cherry Trees which were given to the United States by the Japanese. Because of the shortage of metal from World War II, the original statue was made of plaster. Eventually, a new statue made of bronze was erected and the plaster statue was moved to the basement.
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts It was President Eisenhower who signed the act that began funding for a national cultural center in the capital. After John F. Kennedy's death, the center was named after him. The Center consists of three theaters all connected by a Grand Foyer. There is also a Hall of Nations that has a display of the flags of all nations and a Hall of States with flags displayed from each and every state.
Korean War Memorial This memorial consists of nineteen larger than life statues of soldiers moving across a battlefield and a large granite wall etched with many images of war veterans.
Library of Congress The most comprehensive library in the nation with a huge variety of books, newspapers, videotapes, and all other forms of media. The Library also holds some of the nation's historical documents as well as some of the personal documents of past presidents up to Calvin Coolidge. Designed to serve Congress, many rooms in the Library are also available to the public as long as they are above 18.
Lincoln Memorial President Lincoln knew that the Confederacy's attempt to leave the Union was unlawful, and he was willing to use force to uphold, protect, and preserve the government. His monument was designed to have him look across past the reflecting pool and at the Washington Monument with his famous Gettysburg Address behind him. Many public gatherings, protests, and addresses have been given at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial over the years, including Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
National Air & Space Museum Celebrating America's progress on space and air travel, this Smithsonian Museum is located right by the National Mall. The museum's exhibits focus on aviation, space exploration, and the technology used to accomplish such feats.
National Museum of American History This Smithsonian Museum has a collection of artifacts that represent the American people and their experiences. It has three floors of exhibits ranging from the original Star Spangled Banner flag to the ruby red slippers from the "Wizard of Oz" film.
National Museum of Natural History Containing over 100,000 specimens of plants, animals, gems and minerals, fossils, and other artifacts, this immense museum contains many popular exhibits such as the Insect Zoo and Dinosaur Hall.
Supreme Court The highest court in the United Sates, the Supreme Court handles feuds between states, the constitutionality of laws, and cases on appeal. The Nine Justices that reside are chosen for life by the President. Historical cases were Brown vs. the Board of Education which declared racial segregation unconstitutional and Miranda v. Arizona which made it law that all crime suspects are entitled to a lawyer before interrogation. In front of the Supreme Court Building are the statues of the Guardian of Law and the Contemplation of Justice.
United States Capitol Building On the eastern end of the National Mall, it is one of the most symbolically important building in the nation. On the right and left wings are the meeting chambers of the House of Representatives and Senate. The building has five levels. The first level has various congressional offices, the old Supreme Court Chamber, and a crypt where historical artifacts are stored. The second floor has the chambers for the House and Senate, a hall containing all the nation's statues, and a gallery of paintings under the circular rotunda. The third floor has many offices along with a chamber where visitors may watch the House or Senate in action. The fourth floor mainly consists of offices.
United States Holocaust Museum The country's memorial to the millions who died in the Holocaust, it is the national institution of the study of Holocaust history. A three floor building with a narrative history, it is divided into three sections: "Nazi Assault," "Final Solution," and "Last Chapter." Some images in the museum are very graphic, so they are positioned so that they are not seen immediately.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial This memorial is a simple granite wall built at 125 degrees pointing to the Lincoln Memorial and Washington monument. On the walls are the names of the American casualties as a result of the Vietnam War. Maya Ying Lin, an architecture student at Yale University, designed the memorial as a course requirement. Though she received a B for a grade, her design was chosen to become the Vietnam Memorial. Since some were not satisfied with the abstract appearance, a statue of three soldiers is placed near the entrance. Many family members and veterans leave small tokens of appreciation at the wall ranging from toys, to poems, to pictures. These tokens can be seen at the Museum of American history.
Washington Monument A general from the Revolutionary War, George Washington inspired many to keep going and win the war. After the British surrender at Yorktown, Washington thought he would retire at Mount Vernon until he realized that a new constitution needed to be created. Once the Constitution was ratified, Washington was elected president unanimously. He set many new precedents and policies for America during his two terms before retiring at Mount Vernon. Unfortunately, he died from throat infection only three years after retirement. Construction of the monument began in 1848, however a lack of funding halted construction. At the centennial anniversary, renewed interest made construction commence again. Restoration funded by Roosevelt's Public Works Project began in 1934, and a second restoration funded by Congress began in 1997.
The White House The White House has been a symbol of America's government for over 200 years. The White House has survived a fire when the British invaded, a fire in the West Wing, and a total renovation of the house interior. Many presidents and their families have expressed their individual style while decorating the White House. President Jefferson first opened the White House for public touring, and it has been open for tour ever since except during the war.
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