DC Guide

Abraham Lincoln

16th president of the United States from 1861 to 1965. The Great Emancipator, his presidential strength led the nation through the Civil war

Top of Capitol Building

288 Feet. Statue of Freedom. She is dorned with many symbols of early American mythology such as an eagle, a fasce (symbol of government at the time), and a shield with 13 stripes.

DC size, founding

67 Sq ml, founded in 1790, became capitol in

DC Population

Almost 700,000

Thomas Jefferson

Architect of the constitution, champion of local democracy and primary proponent of independence from british

Washingtin Monument construction

Began 1848, completed 1884

Lincoln Memorial

Completed in 1920 by architect Henry Bacon. Greek style monument modelled after the Parthenon in Athens. One wall is inscribed with Lincoln's inaugural address, other side is the Gettysburg Address.

City Planning?

DC is a planned city designed in a European style, designed by Pierre LEnfant beginning in 1789

Jefferson Memorial

Dedicated in 1943 by President FDR to founding father Thomas Jefferson. Built in a neoclassical style meant to evoke ancient Greek architecture.

US Capitol Building

Designed chosen by George Washington in 1793, construction began shortly after. 1.5 million Square feet, over 600 rooms

Smithsonian Institute

Founded from the fortune of James Smithson, British chemist and lover of democracy who died in 1829 and donated his fortune to the young US. In 1846 president James K Polk signed into law

The capitol is named after

George Washington, famous General in the Revolutionary War and first president of the US

Supreme Court

Home of the judicial branch, 9 judges are appointed by presidents and serve for life. The court previously occupied a section of the capitol building until 1929 when then Justice and former president William Howard Taft argued for a new building, and construction for the current building today began

National Mall

Modeled after the grounds of Versailles in France by Pierre LEnfant

FDR Memorial

Opened 1997 under President Clinton, dedicated to 32nd president Franlin Delano Roosevelt

MLK Memorial

Opened 2011 dedicated to champion of liberty and civil rights Martin Luther King. The monument emblemizes the quote from his I Have a Dream Speech where he says "out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope"

White House

Ordained by George Washington on 1791. Burned by British forces during the War of 1812. Rebuilding completed in 1817. Has been occupied by every president since John Adams

Statue of Lincoln

Sculpted by Daniel Chester French. 19 feet tall.

Washington Monument Height

The tallest work of masonry, towering in at 555 feet. It is surrounded by 50 flags representing the 50 states