Washington DC Test

Holocaust

1978 Began as an idea. November 1, 1978: President's Commission on the Holocaust it was established by Pres. Jimmy Carter and chaired by him and survivor Elie Wiesel. A Report submitted on Sept. 27, 1979: recommending the establishment of the memorial the three Main Components: 1. A national Holocaust museum/memorial. 2. An educational foundation 3. A Committee on Conscience 1.9 acres, $200 million private donations October 16, 1985: two milk cartons containing soil and ashes from a number of concentration camps buried on the grounds. One year later: 15th St. renamed Raoul Wallenberg Place to honoring Swedish diplomat who led one of the most extensive and successful rescue efforts during the Holocaust. October, 1988: President Ronald Reagan cornerstone was laid. July, 1989 - April, 1993: Construction. April 22, 1993: Dedication ceremonies. April 26, 1993: Open to the public, the first visitor was the Dalai Lama of Tibet. 1994: Dedicated the plaza to Gen Dwight D E and the soldiers who fought under his command.

Tidal Basin

A large body of water at the Jefferson Memorial like a reflecting pool.

Arlington National Cemetary

It Belonged to George Washington Parke Custis, grandson of Martha and step-grandson of George. Custis spent his life commemorating George Washington. He Built Arlington House on 1100 acres as a memorial to him. In she was given land to his daughter, Mary Anna who had in 1831 married US Army 2nd Lt. Robert E Lee. Shortly after the war began he vacated the property. Federal troops used the land as HQ. 3 forts constructed on the grounds as part of the defense of DC, it was turned into the Freedman's Village which was established by the government. To assist slaves transitioning to freedom. It provided housing, education, employment training, and medical care. There was a property tax dispute in January. 1864 by $92.07 cost the Lee family their home. In January 1864 Public Auction theUS gov purchased the property for $26,800 at a public auction. On May 13, 1864, the number of fatalities was great and there was no room to bury in DC. The 200 acres of Arlington plantation became a military cemetery the first burial was Prv. William Christman of PA. On June 15, 1864, the War Dept designated this burial space as a national cemetery thus creating Arlington National Cemetery. By the end of the war, burial included thousands of servicemen and African American Freedmen. In 1882 George Washington Custis Lee sued for the return of the property he won his case in front of the Supreme Ct. At this time, 6000 Union soldiers graves were laid so he sold to the Federal Government for $150,000

Martin Luther King

Its address is 1964 independence avenue (in honor of the civil rights movement).In 2011 it opened to the public and was a major deal because it was the 4th memorial that wasn't of a president and 1st of someone of African-American descent. The memorial represents freedom, opportunity, and justice for all. The centerpiece is 30ft tall, is embedded in the stone of hope, and the large boulders represent the mountain of despair(in I have a dream speech).It's gazing at the tidal basin. Has an inscription wall that is over 450 ft long and has 14 quotes chosen from the Council of Historians. The four Main Principles are justice, hope, love, and democracy.

Pentagon

On May 27, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared a national state of emergency. The Us war department has 24,000 in 17 buildings. President approves of new war department building and the cost was 18 million. General Brehon B. Somervell was encharged of this construction. The proposal was a new building that house 40,000 people in 4 million square feet. The wanted it across the Potomac River. Used Arlington farmland that was owned by Robert E.Lee. the design was Asymmetrical and no taller than three feet. Was approved by summer of 1941. Some thought it was too big but construction began on September 11, 1941. in December in it was opened. In March 1942 over 10,000 employees were working. In the 1960s a bomb was set in the women's bathroom and 35,000 protested. the had to renovate and spent 1 billion and 9/11 an airplane struck through the Pentagon 199 were killed 135 worked at the pentagon and 64 were airplane passengers.

Washington DC

Started on July 17, 1790, when Residence act was passed by Congress. President George Washington chose the site by the Potomac River and between two port cities, George town and Alexandria VA. District of Columbia named after Christopher Columbus and Washington named after George Washington. Charles L'Enfant a French-born American engineer and designer he used a grid design with the Capitol at the center. Benjamin Banneker (self-educated freeman) surveyed the 10 square miles. In December of 1800, Congress moved from Philadelphia to Washington DC. In 1812 British burnt down building in DC and US had some significant structural damage. in 1817 a new white house. In 1815 the Library of Congress burnt down and Thomas Jefferson sold his entire library for $23,950 to replenish the collection. During the Civil, War DC was a hub for freed slaves. Post Civil Cwar. Abraham Lincoln died, George town expanded, and first neighborhoods like Capitol Hill or, Lafayette Square. In 1901 the McMillan Plan and the National Mall. DC had a non-voting member of the House of Representatives and a shadow senator. The could vote after 1964 for president and after 1973 could vote for mayor.

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is an American national monument built to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is located on the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., across from the Washington Monument. The designer of the statue was Daniel Chester French. Contains a reflecting pool, and the best way to approach it is from the east to see the full illumination. It is inspired by Greek temples. Has 36 columns to represent the 36 states at the time Lincoln was president. The size of the Memorial is 119ft wide by 190ft long by 100ft high. the size of the statue is 175 tons. Started in 1914 and opened to the public in 1922. It contains a quote "In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever." Also has the Gettysburg address and inaugural address inscribed on the walls.

James Smithson

Was a chemist and mineralist. Born on June 5, 1765, in Paris. Was English like his parents Hugh Smithson and Elizabeth Hungerford Keate Macie (a wealthy widow). He was James Lewis Macie but change his name after parents death in 1801 to Smithson. He never married, had no children, lived a nomadic lifestyle.Was imprisoned during the Napoleonic Wars. He believed that science was the key to happiness and prosperity. he was especially interested in the venom of snakes, the chemistry of volcanoes, and the nature of electricity. He published 27 papers. In his will, he left his fortune to the US but never visited. He died in Genoa, Italy on June 27, 1829. Six years later President Andrew Jackson announced his request and Congress accept his money 1/2 million. President Polk establishes the Smithsonian Institution. It was the world largest museum, education and research complex. in 1904 Alexander Graham Bell brought back his remains.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Was built without government funds. Jan Scruggs a psychiatrist for post-traumatic syndrome said it would give closure and respect he donated 2,800 of his own money. Bob Hope and other donated a total of 18.4 million. There was drawing for who would design it and Maya Lin won it. The guidelines were that it had to have all the name of the vets, no political influence, serene and in harmony with surroundings. She was Asian American and in college, so people said it should be a man, professional, and white. In 1984 a flag and statue were added to represent all women that served. Names are still being added to the memorial. In 2007 57,939 were added. Offerings are left every day such as letters, bracelets, and medals. Since of the overflow they are taken to storage in Maryland. All names are read every five years.

National Zoological Park (National Zoo)

Was established by Congress in 1889 became part of the Smithsonian Institution in 1890. In 1950 hired the first full-time veterinarian. In 1960 started breeding and studying endangered species. There are two campuses the zoo and conservation institute. Has over 3,200 acres in Virginia. No charge for admission. over 2,000 animals and 300 species. 1/5 of the species are endangered. Has the Smokey Bear and Giant Pandas. Was renovated in 2008.

National World War II Memorial

Was finished on April 26, 2004. It commemorates the 16 million that served. It sits on 7.4 acres. It has arches the represent the hostility between Europe and the far east. The pillars stand for each territory including states and districts. There are 4,000 stars 1 star equal 100 Americans killed (400,000). It cost 180 million and 16 million came from government. Only 4 million veterans that survived could have seen it. In Ohio at a fish fry someone asked Marcy Kupter in February 1987 why there wasn't a memorial then she went to Congress to vote on it.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Was finished on July 27, 1995. It commemorates the 5.8 million that served, 36,500 that died during the war and 103,000 wounded. There was over 8,200 MIA. There are 19 statues, each are 7ft tall, and represented there own division. 14 were in the army, 3 were in the marines, 1 in the air force and 1 in the navy. Around the statues were juniper bushes and the statues pinches and were separated by ponchos. There also is a mural wall with 44 different panels that reflect 38 statues (because of the 38th parallel.

Reflecting pool

a still pool often covered in algae due to no filtering of the pool.

Jefferson Memorial

is a presidential memorial in Washington DC, dedicated to Thomas Jefferson. Designed by Russell Pope in 1925 the memorial opened. It resembles the Pantheon in Rome, it has a Neo-Classical structure which was Thomas Jefferson favorite style and contains columns to represent the million and one things that he did. Next to it is a Tidal Basin and is surrounded by cherry blossoms. The statue is bronze, 19ft tall, and looking at the white house. Sculpted by Rudolph Evans who used the age of enlightenment style to represent liberty and equality. The memorial has 3 walls with different ideas on them. They were the Right to religois freedom, the importance of changing laws for changing times, and the Declaration of Independence (DOI) quote "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness...."