My Trip to D.C.
By Alexis Greer
Washington Memorial
It was built to honor George Washington. It took about 36 years to build(1848-1884). The monument is 555 feet tall and in a marble obelisk. It is the tallest free standing building in the world. The monument is two colors. That is because during the building process, the quarry was shut down and they had to get marble from another place. To build it cost around $28.4 million in 2012 money.
Lincoln Memorial
The memorial was built to honor Abraham Lincoln and his heroic actions. It took around 56 years for the memorial to be built and opened to public(1865-1922). The memorial has Greek and Roman influences like the pillars and the throne/chair Lincoln is sitting on. When people look at the 99-foot long and 202-foot wide structure, they only see part of the whole structure. 66 feet underground is the marble structure that supports the weight of the marble structure above ground so it won't sink into or crumble to the ground. The construction cost about $40.5 million in 2012 money.
Jefferson Memorial
The memorial honors Thomas Jefferson. It is a 129-foot tall marble structure. It took 5 years to build the structure(1938-1943). The architecture is often compared to that of Romans. The build costed approximately $39.9 million in 2012 money.
World War ll Memorial
This memorial honors everyone that served during World War ll. Including people back home creating the weapons, growing food, etc. There are two, 46-foot pavilions as marker and entrances of the memorial. There are 56 pillars that represent the unexpected unity of the nation. This cost about $221.4 million in 2012 money.
Vietnam Memorial
This honors all the people that served and died in the Vietnam War for America. After the name comes one of two symbols. The diamond symbol resembles that that person's death was confirmed. The cross resembles the the person was missing or a prisoner at the end of the war and remain missing. This cost about $19.5 million in 2012 money.
US Capital
- The Capital's design was brought about by a design competition started by Thomas Jefferson.
- The cornerstone was laid by George Washington himself.
- At one point, there was plans for George Washington to be buried inside the capitol in the crypt but, when they went to bring the body there, Washington's will said he would be laid at peace in Mt.Vernon.
- The statue that sits on top of the dome is called Freedom.
- The dome wasn't added until the 1850's.
- The main purposes of the building is to house the House of Representatives and Senate.
Supreme Court
- The court didn't have a fully functional home until 1935.
- There is 1 chief justice and 8 associate justices.
- The president nominates the candidates for the court and the US senate has to approve.
- Chief justices are sworn in by outgoing chief justices.
The Current Court. Seated left to right: Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Standing left to right: Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Stephen G. Breyer, Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Justice Elena Kagan.
Holocaust Museum
This museum resembles all the people that had suffered in the Holocaust. It has many exhibits to look at and interact with in order to learn more about the Holocaust.
Daniel's house was one of my favorite exhibits.
Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, also called the NASM. It holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. I think it is really hard to pick a favorite exhibit in this museum.
Arlington National Cemetery
- It is located on Robert E. Lee's confiscated estate.
- It is the only cemetery to hold servicemen/servicewomen from every war.
- Soldiers plant flags in front of every tombstone on Memorial Day weekend.
- Over 400,000 people are buried in the cemetery.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Gravesite of Audie Murphy
Mast of the USS Maine
Challenger Memorial
Kennedy Gravesite
The white house
- There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels. There is also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators.
- The White House kitchen can serve up to 140 guests.
- It needs 570 gallons of paint to cover the outside surface.
- It's a home for the president and his family. It also contains offices for the president and the first lady and was designed to allow the American president to entertain in a formal setting.
national zoo
- The location is 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008.
- Some animals you can find there are pandas, lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, and many more.
My favorite animal in the zoo was the tigers.
Dinner Cruise
The boat we went on was called Nina's Dandy. It goes up the river instead of down! The food was amazing. The est part was when we went on top and partied for most of the night. Also hanging out with all my friends.
Travel and hotel
Molly Pitcher Rest Area
The Weston Dulles Airport
Our bus