Red, White and Boom

It was rung on July 8, 1776 to announce to the American people that the Declaration of Independence was going to be read aloud by our Founding Fathers.

The original bell cracked and another bell was commissioned. During the 1700’s the bell was used to summon citizens to a major announcement and ask for their attention.

White House

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The White House is the main workplace and home for the President of the United States. It was built somewhere around 1792 to 1800. The architecture was influenced by the Georgian period. President John Adams was the first President to live in the White House, as it was not built yet when George Washington was President.

During the war of 1812, the British returned seeking revenge and burned down the White House. Most of the interior pieces were destroyed in this fire during the tenure of President James Madison. The White House was then rebuilt.

The White House has been enlarged and changed through the efforts of many Presidents.

Presently it is 55,000 square feet, with six floors, eight staircases, three elevators, 28 fireplaces and 132 rooms. It also has a bowling alley, a tennis court, a movie theater, 5 full-time chefs, putting green and a swimming pool.

Approximately 5,000 tourists visit the White House everyday.

Capitol Building

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The United States Capitol is the center for the United States Congress. It is where laws are discussed, voted upon and made. It has a familiar dome over a rotunda. One wing is designated for the Senate members and the other wing is for the House of Representative members. It is one building in the group of buildings called “Capitol Hill.” “Capitol Hill” encompasses the Supreme Court building and Library of Congress as well. Over 30% of all Congressmen live in the Capitol Hill area while Congress is in session.

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Lincoln Memorial

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The Lincoln Memorial was built to honor our country’s sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln. It was designed to look like the Temple of Zeus in Greece.

The Lincoln Memorial has been the scene of many important events in the history of our country. In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous, “I Have a Dream” speech during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Over a quarter of a million people descended on this memorial seeking freedoms that had been guaranteed when Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves 100 years earlier.

The statue is just under 20 feet tall and 19 feet wide. It is carved out of white marble from the state of Georgia.

The Gettysburg Address is also carved into the memorial interior, as well as one of Lincoln’s addresses during the Civil War.

Some people believe that Abraham Lincoln was this country’s greatest President and it is fitting to see such a spectacular memorial honoring such an influential leader.

Jefferson Memorial

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This memorial is dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, our third President and author of our Declaration of Independence. Inside this memorial is a 10,000 pound, 19 feet tall bronze statue depicting Thomas Jefferson. The interior walls have engravings of written pieces by Thomas Jefferson.

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This memorial is famous for its Japanese cherry trees that blossom in vibrant pink every spring. The cherry trees were a gift from the Japanese government to America in 1912.

Washington Monument

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This monument is a tall, large obelisk that pays tribute to George Washington. It is the largest stone structure in the world. It is also the tallest obelisk and stands at over 555 feet. It is the tallest structure in Washington D.C.

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George Washington was a popular and much loved leader of our country. He was so popular that some citizens wanted to make him “King” and he declined. He guided the Colonists as a General, in winning independence from Great Britain in 1776 and helped form the new government.

Mt. Rushmore

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This memorial attracts 2 million visitors every year to see the faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, T. Roosevelt and Lincoln craved in 60 feet high granite. Mount Rushmore attracts over 2 million visitors a year to see its impressive impressions of some inspiring Presidents.

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Our Flag

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The American flag is inspiring symbol of our country. While the colors of red, white and blue and design may have been influenced by the British Union Jack flag, it has become 100% American. The white symbolizes “purity”, the red “hardiness” and the blue “valor.”

There is some dispute as to who actually sewed the flag. It may have been Betsy Ross and then again it could have very well been another seamstress at the time.

Historians believe that the stripes shown in the exact same size depicted that each of the colonies was equal in importance to the unity of the country. By using stars this may have connected to a desire to exceed our limitations.

“Old Glory” – Long may she wave and symbolize independence to all freedom loving people!

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