Washington, D.C. is a planned city. The design for the City of Washington was largely the work of Pierre (Peter) Charles L'Enfant, a French-born architect who arrived during the American Revolutionary War. The architecture of Washington varies greatly. Six of the top 10 buildings in the American Institute of Architects' 2007 ranking of "America's Favorite Architecture" are located in the District of Columbia, including the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Vietnam memorial.#1 - United States Navy Memorial The United States Navy Memorial is the triumph of a centuries-old dream. Construction for the memorial was authorized by President Kennedy. Engraved on the outdoor wall are noteworthy sayings from the history of the US Navy.Coordinants: 38.894096, -77.022959 |
#2 - Jefferson Memorial The current site of the Memorial was originally created using landfill dredged from the Potomac River in the late 19th century. The memorial was dedicated in 1943 on Jefferson's 200th birthday, by FDR. Because the bronze statue of Jefferson had not been cast at the time of dedication, a plaster replica painted bronze was substituted. The interior of the memorial has a 19-foot (5.8 m) tall, 10,000 lb (4336 kg) bronze statue of JeffersonCoordinants: 38.881345, -77.036584 Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Memorial |
#3 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Dedicated on May 2, 1997 by President Bill Clinton, the monument, spread over 7.5 acres (30,000 m2), traces 12 years of the history of the United States through a sequence of four outdoor rooms, one for each of FDR's terms of officeCoordinants: 38.883840, -77.044236 |
#4 - Theodore Roosevelt Island Theodore Roosevelt Island is a 88.5-acre island and a national memorial. The land is generally maintained as a natural park, with various trails and a memorial plaza featuring a statue of Roosevelt. No cars or bicycles are permitted on the island. The memorial, dedicated in 1967, consists of two fountains and a 17 ft statue of RooseveltCoordinants: 38.897223, -77.064018 |
#5 - US Marine Corps War Memorial The design of the massive sculpture by Felix de Weldon was based on the iconic photo Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, taken during WWII. In 1951, work commenced on creating this cast bronze memorial, and it was dedicated in 1961 by president Kennedy. The figures (32ft tall) hoist a 60ft long flagpole.Coordinants: 38.890447, -77.069702 Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USMC_War_Memorial |
#6 - Women in Military Service for America Memorial The Ceremonial Entrance was originally dedicated in 1932, when the Arlington Memorial Bridge opened, but was not completed or maintained. It wasn't until construction of this memorial began, in 1995, that the entrance was finished. This memorial was completed in 1997.Coordinants: 38.882658, -77.068349 |
#7 - Lee Mansion National Memorial This mansion was built in 1803 and was once the home of Robert E. Lee. During the American Civil War, the grounds of the mansion were selected as the site of Arlington National Cemetery, in part to ensure that Lee would never again be able to return to his home. Lee became the commander of the confederate army after turning down a position as commander of the Union Army.Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_House,_The_Robert_E._Lee_Memorial Coordinants: 38.881169, -77.072651 Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Military_Service_for_America_Memorial |
#8 - Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery was established during the American Civil War, on property previously owned by Confederate general Robert E. Lee. The cemetery consists of 624 acres and about 300,000 graves. The most popular site, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is made from Yule Marble and weighs 79 tons. The Tomb of the Unknowns has been perpetually guarded since July 2, 1937, by the U.S. Army.Coordinants: 38.876383, -77.072191 Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_National_Cemetery |
#9 - United States Air Force Memorial Construction began in February, 2006 and was finished 8 months later, in October. The original site for the monuments was changed due to complaints that it would be visible from the Navy memorial. This memorial was the last project of American architect James Ingo Freed.Coordinants: 38.868512, -77.066301 |
#10 - Pentagon Memorial The Pentagon Memorial is a memorial to the 184 people (both in the Pentagon and on flight 77) who died as a result of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on September 11,2001. To commemorate the anniversary each year, an American flag is hung on the section of the Pentagon hit by Flight 77. At night, this section of the building is lit up in blue lights.Coordinants: 38.870473, -77.059258 Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentagon_Memorial |
