Famous Structures D.C.

The National Mall is one of the monuments that comes to mind when I visualize Washington D.C. Many more agree that this is a famous landmark and it becomes even more evident when you consider that as many as 24 million visit it each year!

The U.S. Capitol is probably on most visitors “top things to see” list. Yes, I’ve passed by it before, but this trip our family was fortunate enough to arrive just as a tour of the Capitol was starting! You can see the tour in one of my past entries. http://elizabethssecretgarden.blogspot.com/2011/11/standing-in-front-of-u.html

The National Archives and Records Administration deals with preserving and documenting historical records along with educating the public on the history behind many of the documents. This is where the documents we treasure most are held. (This was also one of the main buildings to be featured on the movie “National Treasure”). The most famous articles housed there are the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, 1297 Magna Carta, and the Bill of Right. Though faded and old, I couldn’t help but be amazed as I took in the fact that the most famous of these, The Declaration of Independence, is more than 200 years old!

This monument stands in front of the Capitol and presents a scene from the Civil War. This statue assists the viewer in feeling the emotion of the bloody battle where brother fought against brother as each side fought for what they believed. The leader on this monument raises his spear as one of his soldiers falls alongside his horse. This monument helps to capture the drama played out in the Civil War.

This statue is the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial which is another monument proudly erected in front of the U.S. capitol. We owe much gratitude to this general who helped to win the Civil War.

On our way to the National Archives and Records Administration, our paths crossed the U.S. Navy Memorial which is dedicated to those who served in the Navy. The Lone Sailor Statue was crafted in 1990 by sculptor Stanley Bleifeld. The sailor stands upon a large world map named ‘Granite Sea’ which replicates the oceans of Sea.

These plaques are another part of memorial which pays tribute to sailors who served in the U.S. Navy. This memorial along with all the others, helps us remember the history and what was required to make our country a nation. May we never take for granted the lives that were sacrificed for our sake.