Obscure Facts on DC Memorials
Washington, D.C. is home to dozens of memorials that honor the founders of the United States as well as the men and women who lost their lives protecting it. Some information about these memorials has been buried in the annals of history.
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Washington National Monument
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The Washington National Monument Society selected a design for the monument in 1836, but the cornerstone was not laid until 1848. The project was not completed until 1884 due to interruptions that included the onset of the Civil War.
Albert Einstein Memorial
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This 12-foot bronze statue---which sits in front of the National Academy of Sciences---is adorned with more than 2,700 metal studs that represent the solar system, stars and other celestial objects, all accurately positioned by astronomers as the objects appeared in the nighttime sky on the dedication date.
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Vietnam Women's Memorial
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More than 265,000 women served in the Vietnam War as volunteer nurses, journalists, air-traffic controllers and more. Every Memorial Day and Veterans Day, in 15- to 30-minute intervals, storytellers at this memorial inform visitors about the key roles women played in this controversial war.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
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This memorial, which displays statues of 19 soldiers from various military units, also features granite slabs at the soldiers' feet as well as numerous juniper bushes. The granite slabs represent the obstacles these men faced in battle, while the bushes represent the rough terrain they encountered.
Lincoln Memorial
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The elaborate original design for this memorial included 37 statues of people---with six of them on horseback---along with a central 12-foot Lincoln statue. The project was never initiated due to a lack of funds.
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References
- Photo Credit Abraham Lincoln Memorial image by EdCooper from Fotolia.com
