Every American, regardless of age or location, should be aware of their country’s history. War monuments are famous tourist sites that commemorate a period when men and women sacrificed their lives for the love of their nation.
Visiting notable war monuments is a terrific opportunity to learn more about the United States’ rich history and pay tribute to those who gave their lives fighting for the values we hold dear. Whether you want to make a holiday out of it and see them all or just a few, the time has come to get out and see them. Here are the most-visited war memorials in Washington D.C.
1. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
This memorial, which was dedicated in 2011, honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a well-known American pastor, activist, humanitarian, and civil rights leader.
The memorial is based on a line from Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which he delivered from the nearby steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963: “With this faith, we will be able to hew out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”
2. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
This one-of-a-kind facility is separated into four outdoor galleries, one for each of FDR’s four presidential administrations from 1933 through 1945. It is situated on 7.5 acres in a magnificent location along the Tidal Basin.
It was Washington, D.C.’s first monument that was created with wheelchair accessibility in mind. Several sculptures show the 32nd President, but one of the greatest elements of the monument is the artificial waterfall, which represents the president’s love of swimming as well as his support for water power initiatives.
Fala, a bronze sculpture of FDR’s favorite Scottish terrier, is a must-see for dog enthusiasts. A bookshop and public facilities are available on site.
3. Washington Monument
This 555-foot neoclassical obelisk is the most famous landmark in Washington D.C. and one of the world’s tallest freestanding masonry structures. It honors George Washington, the first President of the United States.
The monument took over 40 years to complete and was finally dedicated in 1885. Visitors can take an elevator to the top for stunning views of the city.
4. Lincoln Memorial
This iconic memorial, which sits on the National Mall, was dedicated in 1922 and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Washington D.C. It commemorates Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, who played a pivotal role in ending slavery in the United States.
The memorial features a 19-foot statue of Lincoln and excerpts from his Second Inaugural Address and Gettysburg Address.
5. Thomas Jefferson Memorial
The Jefferson Memorial, which is frequently voted as tourists’ favorite piece of architecture on the National Mall, hosts a number of yearly events and ceremonies, including memorial exercises, an Easter morning ceremony, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
The memorial, which stands as a symbol of liberty, was designed as a smaller version of the Roman Pantheon, with marble steps and monumental Ionic columns; its interior houses a bronze statue of Jefferson and excerpts from his letters, speeches, and the Declaration of Independence. Its walls are inlaid with excerpts from Jefferson’s letters, speeches, and the Declaration of Independence.
6. Korean War Veterans Memorial
This memorial, dedicated in 1995, commemorates the Americans who served in the Korean War (1950-1953), including those who were killed in action, wounded, or captured.
It is situated on a triangular piece of land between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and features 19 stainless steel statues called “The Column of Remembrance.”
7. Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Members of the United States military services who fought, died in service, or went missing during the Vietnam War are remembered at this memorial. The Three Soldiers statue, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, and the well-known Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall are all part of it.
The memorial’s unconventional design caused controversy because of its dark color and lack of decoration, but it quickly became a place of mourning, pilgrimage, and healing; today, it is one of the most visited and moving memorials on the National Mall, with visitors leaving mementos, letters, and photographs of loved ones lost in the war as a tradition.
8. National World War II Memorial
The National World War II Memorial, located on the National Mall in Washington D.C., is a tribute to the 16 million men and women who served in the armed forces during World War II.
The memorial includes 56 pillars representing the states and territories that were involved in the war, as well as two 43-foot arches that represent the triumph of the Allied Forces. It also features a number of sculptures and fountains, as well as an inscription of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” speech.
9. U. S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is one of the most visited museums in Washington D.C., with over three million visitors each year.
The museum is dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and telling the stories of those who were affected by it. It also features a number of exhibits, including a replica of a concentration camp, as well as a memorial to the six million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust.
10. Pentagon Memorial
The Pentagon Memorial, which is located on the Pentagon grounds, remembers the 184 people who died in the Pentagon’s headquarters and aboard American Airlines Flight 77 during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
The memorial is made up of a park and a gateway that spans around two acres—each victim’s age and place are etched on unique steel seats inlaid with granite, which are lighted from beneath by a pool of water.
Crape Myrtle trees have been planted around the memorial to give shade and will ultimately grow to reach 30 feet tall. The Age Wall, which spans the ages of the victims from 3 to 71, is located on the memorial’s western perimeter.
These are just a few of the many war memorials located in Washington D.C. If you’re looking for a way to pay tribute to those who have served in America’s armed forces, be sure to visit these memorials during your next trip to the nation’s capital.
