I. GENERAL PRESENTATION

Motto: Justitia omnibus (Justice to all)

Washington, D.C. is the capital city of the United States of America. "D.C." stands for the District of Columbia1, the federal district containing the city of Washington. The city is named after George Washington2, military leader of the American Revolution and the first President of the United States. The District of Columbia and the city of Washington are coextensive and are governed by a single municipal government, so for most practical purposes they are considered to be the same entity (this was not always the case, though, as Georgetown was a separate city within the District until 1871). However, although there is a municipal government and a mayor, as per Article I, Section VIII, of the United States Constitution, Congress has the sole authority over this federal district and thus the municipal government and mayor exist in the shadows of Congress3. It is commonly known as the District, D.C., or simply Washington. Historically, it was called the Federal City or Washington City. The centers of all three branches4 of the U.S. federal government are in Washington, D.C., as well as the headquarters of most federal agencies. Washington serves as the headquarters for the World Bank5, the International Monetary Fund6, and the Organization of American States7, among other international (and national) institutions. All of this has made Washington the frequent focal point of massive political demonstrations and protests, particularly on the National Mall. Washington is the site of numerous national landmarks, museums, and sports teams, and is a popular destination for tourists. Powerful rivers run through the state, providing natural habitat for one of America's best game fish, the steelhead trout. The mighty Columbia River is home to one of the world's most massive masonry structures, the Grand Coulee Dam, which provides 30% of the nation's hydroelectric power. From the unique temperate rainforests

1 of the west to the apple-producing orchards of the east, Washington is a state of fantastic natural beauty. Washington has long been a gateway for African Americans emigrating from the South, and since the 1960s has had a (now diminishing) black majority. Many citizens live in poverty, and social problems have been exacerbated by the transient nature of the governmental workforce and the District's lack of political power. Transportation facilities include a subway system that connects the city with many suburbs. The main rail and air hubs are Union Station and Ronald Reagan Washington National and Dulles International airports (both in Virginia). Nearby military installations include Fort McNair, Fort Myer, Andrews Air Force Base, and Bolling Air Force Base. The present system of government (in operation since 1975) provides for an elected mayor and city council but reserves for Congress veto power over the budget and legislation and direct control over an enclave containing most of the federal buildings and monuments. The Twenty-third Amendment (1961) to the Constitution gave inhabitants the right to vote in presidential elections; the District of Columbia was accorded three electoral votes, the minimum number. In 1970 legislation authorized election of a nonvoting delegate to the House of Representatives8. There have been several unsuccessful attempts by the District of Columbia to gain statehood and achieve full representation in Congress. With the city facing insolvency in 1995, Congress created a financial control board with a mandate to supervise municipal finances. Granted virtual authority over the city, the board concentrated on reducing the municipal workforce, paring services and programs, stimulating the economy, retaining a middle-class presence, and transferring prison and other costly operations to the federal government; it continued its oversight until the District had four successive balanced budgets (2001). Washington became the 42nd state to join the Union on November 11, 1889. The state boasts vast tracts of forested land, and timber production is naturally one of the state's economic assets. Nicknamed "the Evergreen State"9, Washington values its forests for their contribution to both the economy and to the region's ecosystems. The official state tree, the western hemlock, can attain towering size and beauty.

2 II. STATE SYMBOLS

Symbols are often adopted after a concerted effort by citizens to have a significant item recognized for its importance to the state. To that end, citizens, organizations or school children often research a particular symbol and make a request for a bill. They track the bill through the Legislative process (see "How a Bill Becomes a Law"), often providing further information about their request to the Legislature. If approved by the Legislature, the bill is enacted and there is a new state symbol.

The Flag and the Great Seal of Washington

The state flag and the state seal are similar. Passed in 1923, Washington law describes the flag as having dark green bunting with a state seal in the center. In the late 1890s, a blue and gold military state flag with George Washington's profile on it flew over many cities and towns throughout the state. But when it came to a final decision, the current flag was adopted by the Legislature. According to law, the flag of the United States and the flag of the state shall be prominently installed, displayed and maintained in schools, court rooms and state buildings.

State Tree

Western Hemlock

In 1946, an Oregon newspaper teased Washington for not having a state tree. The Portland Oregonian picked out the western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla for us, but Washington newspapers decided to choose their own and selected the popular western red cedar. State Representative George Adams of Mason County pleaded with the Legislature to adopt the western hemlock. The hemlock, he said, would become "the backbone of this state's forest industry." Adams' bill passed the Legislature and was signed into law in 1947.

State Bird

Willow Goldfinch

The goldfinch/ wild canary is a delicate little bird with a yellow body and black wings, and although it eventually became the official state bird, many other birds were considered

3 for the title. In 1928, legislators let school children select the state bird and the meadowlark won hands-down. It was a nice choice but seven other states already had chosen the same bird. Another vote was taken in 1931 by the Washington Federation of Women's Clubs. Many birds were nominated, but the goldfinch won handily over the tanager, song sparrow, junco and pileated woodpecker. Now there were two state birds and the Legislature decided to leave the final choice to school children. In 1951, children voted for the goldfinch and the Legislature made it unanimous.

State Flower

Coast Rhododendron

In 1892, before they had the right to vote, Washington women selected the coast rhododendron as the state flower. They wanted an official flower to enter in a floral exhibit at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Six flowers were considered, but the final decision was narrowed to clover and the "rhodie," and voting booths were set up for ladies throughout the state. When the ballots were counted, the rhododendron had been chosen as the Washington state flower. In 1959, the Legislature designated the native species, Rhododendron macrophyllum, as the official flower of the state of Washington.

State Song

"Washington, My Home"

The state song, "Washington, My Home," was written by Helen Davis, arranged by Stuart Churchill, and became the official state song in 1959. But, like the goldfinch, it had some stiff competition from another popular song. Back in 1909, "Washington Beloved" was adopted, sort of, by the Legislature. Professor Edmond Meany, the historian, wrote the words and Reginald de Koven, who also wrote "O Promise Me" and other operettas, wrote the music. But the official designation for the song was never formally introduced as a bill and so was not part of the state's code of law. When a state senator from South Bend introduced a bill in 1959 to make "Washington, My Home" our state song, it was approved unanimously.

State Fish

Steelhead Trout

The steelhead trout is an anadromous fish, meaning it returns to fresh water rivers to spawn. The scales of the steelhead shine flecks of silver with a gray spotted back from

4 head to tail and an intensely white belly; the two colors separated by a hint of opalescent pink. Steelhead trout is one of the most popular fish for recreational fishing, a major industry in Washington State. The steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) was adopted by the Legislature as a state symbol in 1969.

State Gem

Petrified Wood

The geological history of our state has encompassed many great changes, one of them being the many lava flows from volcanic fissures. Centuries ago, the interior of Washington was swampy and mild with many trees such as cypress, oak, elm and gingko growing in wet areas. Layers of logs were preserved with each new lava flow, and as the layers grew deeper, many of the logs became waterlogged and lay protected in deep water. Over time, water continued to seep through the lava and permeate the wood with silica. Eventually, the wood fiber was completely replaced by silica, thus petrifying many logs. The petrified wood is perfect in form and detail to the original wood. In 1975, petrified wood was adopted as the state gem. The best place to see petrified wood is the Gingko Petrified Forest State Park in Vantage.

State Dance

Square Dance

On April 17, 1979, the square dance became the official Washington state dance. When the pioneers came west, they brought with them a dance called the quadrille, which means square in French. The pioneers liked the simpler term and so the square dance was born. The dance is known for its series of figures and footwork. Dancers are directed by a caller. It is easy to learn, a good form of exercise, and fun.

State Folk Song

"Roll On, Columbia, Roll On” In the early 1940s, the federal Bonneville Power Administration produced a movie encouraging rural residents in the Pacific Northwest to electrify their homes and farms

5 with the power being generated by the newly-built Bonneville and Grand Coulee Dams on the Columbia River. As part of the project, BPA hired folksinger Woody Guthrie at $270 for 30 days to write songs for the movie. Guthrie wrote 26 songs, the most popular of which was "Roll On, Columbia, Roll On," an ode to the harnessing of Washington's mightiest river. It was approved as the official Washington state folk song by the Legislature in 1987.

State Fruit

Apple

Washington is the nation's top apple-producing state, so it is appropriate that the apple was named a state symbol in 1989, the centennial year. A favorite fruit around the world, the apple comes in many different colors, sizes and varieties. From the beautiful blossoms of spring, to the heavily laden branches in autumn, the apple trees of eastern Washington represent one of the largest industries in the state. The Washington apple is certainly one of the most recognized symbols of the state worldwide.

State Grass

Bluebunch Wheatgrass Although many state symbols are readily identifiable with the western part of the state, bluebunch wheatgrass is a state symbol that is unique to eastern Washington. Bluebunch wheatgrass was a blessing to Washington's pioneer farmers and continues to play a major role in our agriculture industry today. It was adopted by the 1989 Legislature as the official state grass. Its botanical name is Agropyron spicatum.

State Tartan

A tartan is a design for the weaving of cloth consisting of perpendicular bands of contrasting colors on a solid background. The Washington State tartan was designed in 1988 by Vancouver, USA Country Dancers Margaret McLeod van Nus and Frank Cannonita to commemorate the Washington State Centennial celebration. It is identified by the background color green, which represents the rich forests of Washington, the "Evergreen State." The perpendicular bands of contrasting colors represent the following features: blue for the lakes, rivers and ocean; white for the snow-capped mountains; red

6 for the apple and cherry crops; yellow for the wheat and grain crops; and black for the eruption of Mount St. Helens. The bill, designating a state tartan, was signed into law in 1991. The Council of the Scottish Tartans Society also affixed its seal to the official Certificate of Accreditation in 1991.

State Insect

Green Darner Dragonfly

In 1997, the common green darner dragonfly, Anax junius Drury, became Washington's official state insect after a group of students at Crestwood Elementary School in Kent brought the idea to the Legislature. Students from over 100 school districts statewide participated in the selection of the common green darner dragonfly. Also known as the "mosquito hawk," this insect can be found throughout Washington and is a beneficial contributor to the ecosystem because it consumes a large number of insect pests. It is easily recognizable by its bright green head and thorax, it has a four to six-inch wingspan and can fly 25 to 35 miles per hour. There are over 400 different species of dragonflies. Dragonflies existed prior to the dinosaur age and some had up to a three- foot wing span. "Darner" is one family of dragonflies and the common green (Anax junius) was first sighted and recorded by Drury in 1773.

State Fossil

Columbian mammoth Washington's newest state symbol is the Columbian mammoth. Students from Windsor Elementary School near Cheney led a four-year effort to have this behemoth designated as our state fossil in 1998. Mammoth is the common name given to any member of an extinct genus Mammuthus of the elephant family. The Columbian Mammoth, (Mammuthus columbi) was a descendent of Mammuthus meridionalis (Mammuthus meridionalis) the ancestral mammoth that entered North America via the Bering Land Bridge about one million years ago. Nearly all mammoths died out about 10,000 years ago. Two species of mammoths, the Columbian and woolly, were trapped in the Hot Springs Mammoth Site pond. The Columbian Mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) was the largest mammal to have been trapped in the La Brea Tar Pits. Some individuals stood over 13 feet tall. The Columbian Mammoth was larger, but less hairy, than the wooly mammoth which lived near the ice sheets in the northern end of the continent. The mammoth became extinct about the same time the first humans migrated into North America.

7 State Holidays

Emancipation Day

Washington, D.C. celebrates April 16 as Emancipation Day. On that day in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia. The Act freed about 3,100 enslaved persons in the District of Columbia nine months before President Lincoln issued his famous Emancipation Proclamation which presaged the eventual end of slavery to the rest of the nation. The District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act represents the only example of compensation by the federal government to free enslaved persons. The Emancipation Day celebration was held yearly from 1866 to 1901, and was resumed as a tradition and historic celebration in 2002. On January 4, 2005, Mayor Anthony Williams signed legislation making Emancipation Day an official holiday in the District. Each year, a series of activities will be held during the public holiday, including the traditional Emancipation Day parade celebrating the freedom of enslaved persons in the District of Columbia. In 2007, the observance of this holiday had the effect of nationally extending the 2006 income tax filing deadline from the 16th to the 17th of April, a delay that will recur in April of 2011.

8 III. THE WHITE HOUSE

The White House, the official residence of the president, is at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC 20500. The site, covering about 18 acres, was selected by President Washington and city planner Pierre Charles L'Enfant, and the architect was James Hoban. The design appears to have been influenced by Leinster House, Dublin, and James Gibb's Book of Architecture. The cornerstone was laid Oct. 13, 1792, and the first residents were President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams in Nov. 1800.

Choosing a City

In the late 1700s, it was decided that our country needed a capital city. Our first president, George Washington, picked a site on the Potomac River, midway between the northern and southern states. This spot would come to be called Washington, District of Columbia. Pierre L'Enfant, a city planner from France, designed the new city. He decided to place the Capitol Building on one hill and the "President's House" on another hill. L'Enfant had many plans for building the city, but he lost his job after too many disagreements with landowners. The streets and parks that exist in Washington, D.C., today are the result of the work of two surveyors, Andrew Ellicott and Benjamin Banneker, who made maps and plans based on L'Enfant's original designs. The original District of Columbia was like a wilderness, and the Potomac River caused the area to be marshy. Pigs roamed the streets, and mosquitoes made people sick from malaria. Conditions improved, however, when the marshes, creeks, and canals were drained.

9 Building the White House

While the city of Washington, D.C. was being developed, the president's house was also getting under way. A contest was held to select a designer for the house. While it is said that our third president, Thomas Jefferson, submitted designs for the house, architect James Hoban won the contest. Work on the house began in 1792. Stonemasons were hired from Scotland. Bricks were made on the north lawn. Sandstone was brought from Stafford County, Virginia, and lumber from North Carolina and Virginia. President George Washington oversaw construction of the White House, but he never lived there! It was our second president, John Adams, elected in 1796, who first lived in the White House. His term was almost over by the time he moved in, and only six rooms had been finished. While James Madison was president, from 1809 to 1817, the United States went to war with England. On August 24, 1814, British soldiers sailed up the Potomac River and set fire to the White House. A summer thunderstorm put out the fire, but only the charred outside walls and the interior brick walls remained. It took three years to rebuild the White House.

White House Facts

The White House, the official residence of the president, is at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC 20500. The site, covering about 18 acres, was selected by President Washington and city planner Pierre Charles L'Enfant, and the architect was James Hoban. The design appears to have been influenced by Leinster House, Dublin, and James Gibb's Book of Architecture. The cornerstone was laid in October 13, 1792, and the first residents were President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams in Nov. 1800. The White House has a fascinating history. The main building was burned by the British in 1814 during the War of 1812. Afterward, when the building was being restored, the smoke-stained gray stone walls were painted white. The name “White House,” however, was not used officially until President Theodore Roosevelt had it engraved on his stationery in 1901. Prior to that, the building was known variously as the “President's Palace,” the “President's House,” and the “Executive Mansion.” There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels to accommodate all the people who live in, work in, and visit the White House. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8staircases, and 3 elevators. The White House has six floors—two basements, two public floors, and two floors for the First Family. The rooms for public functions are on the first floor. The second and third floors are used as the residence of the president and first family. The most celebrated public room is the East Room, where formal receptions take place. Other public rooms are the Red Room, the Green Room and the Blue Room. The State Dining Room is used for formal dinners. At various times in history, the White House has been known as the "President's Palace," the "President's House," and the "Executive Mansion." President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name in 1901. With five full-time chefs, the White House kitchen is able to serve dinner to as many as 140 guests and hors d'oeuvres to more than 1,000. The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface.

10 For recreation, the White House has a variety of facilities available to its residents, including a tennis court, a jogging track, a swimming pool, a movie theater, a billiard room, and a bowling lane. Over the years, there have been several additions made to the main building, including the west wing (1902), the east wing (1942), and a penthouse and a bomb shelter (1952). The west wing, which contains the president's oval office and the offices of his staff, is the center of activity at the White House. During Harry Truman's presidency, from Dec. 1948 to March 1952, the interior of the White House was rebuilt, and the outer walls were strengthened. Nevertheless, the exterior stone walls are the same ones that were first put in place when the White House was constructed two centuries ago. The White House receives approximately 6,000 visitors a day.

The nation and the rest of the world view the White House as the seat of democracy and as a unique museum of American history. Yet the White House must also function as a home for the First Family and as an office for the President. When the public tours end each day, the entire White House becomes the private residence of the President and his family, who maintain the upper floor as their residence at all times. Behind the white stone facade, day-to-day duties take place. Here is a glance behind the public scenes into the jobs performed every day at this national monument. One of the best-known public events to be held on the White House grounds is the annual Easter Egg Roll. White House chefs prepare hundreds of official Easter eggs that are used for this party, held on the Monday after Easter. The tradition, begun during the Hayes Administration, has grown over the years into one of the most popular events for children in Washington, D.C.; approximately 40,000 people participated in 1993. Gardeners from the National Park Service meticulously maintain the White House lawns and gardens. Perhaps the most famous of the White House gardens is the Rose Garden, where the President receives visitors ranging from foreign dignitaries to Super Bowl champions. Among the events that have taken place in the Rose Garden were President Nixon's daughter Tricia's wedding, the honoring of the first team of U.S. astronauts, and the appointment of the first female Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Connor. During his Presidency, from 1913 to 1921, Woodrow Wilson allowed sheep to

11 graze on the White House lawns. During World War I, sale of their wool helped raise money for the American Red Cross. When events in the White House are covered by the media, the viewing public sees a well-composed presentation. During President Clinton's meetings in the Cabinet Room, the press uses lights, cameras, and microphones that allow him to be clearly seen and heard around the world. Every December the White House is decorated with Christmas trees in celebration of the holiday season. The National Park Service staff begins preparations by bringing a tree into the Blue Room. Candlelight tours are conducted to allow the public to enjoy the beauty of the festive season in this magnificent home. For information about these tours, contact the White House Visitors Office, (202) 456-7041. The White House receives thousands of calls every day. White House operators assist callers from all over the world who are trying to reach White House offices and personnel. People who wish to voice their opinions on current issues and policies may call the White House Comment Line at (202) 456-1111, which allows the President to keep in touch with people's feelings and views. The first White House telephone was installed in 1879 by President Rutherford B. Hayes.

 Blue Room

The "elliptic salon", with the Yellow Oval Room and the Diplomatic Reception Room formed the most elegant architectural feature of James Hoban's plans for the White House. The Blue Room has always been used as a reception room except for a brief period during the administration of John Adams when it served as the south entrance hall. During the Madison administration, architect Benjamin Latrobe designed a suite of classical-revival furniture for the room, but only some working drawings remain; the furnishings were destroyed in the fire of 1814. When President Monroe redecorated the "large oval room" after the fire, he used the French Empire style, which is the present decor. Monroe ordered a suite of French mahogany furniture through the American firm Russell and La Farge, with offices in Le Havre, France. However, the firm shipped gilded furniture instead, asserting that "mahogany is not generally admitted into the furniture of a Salon, even at private gentlemen's houses". Eight pieces of the original suite can be seen, including a bergerè, an armchair with enclosed sides. A gilded bronze clock also remains. The color blue was introduced during the administration of Martin Van Buren in 1837; he redecorated the oval salon and began the tradition of the "blue room". The marble-top center table, which has been in the White House since it was purchased by President Monroe in 1817, stands beneath the French chandelier. This early 19th- century chandelier is made of gilded-wood and cut glass, encircled with acanthus leaves. George P. A. Healy's 1859 portrait of John Tyler hangs on the west wall above the Monroe sofa. It is considered to be the finest in the series of Presidential portraits Healy painted for the White House under a commission from Congress. A renovation and refurbishing of the Blue Room was initiated in the early 1990's by the Committee for The Preservation of the White House and completed in mid-1995. The sapphire blue fabric used for the draperies and furniture covering is similar in color to

12 fabric used in the room in 1800's. The silk upholstery fabric retains the gold eagle medallion on the chair backs which was adapted from the depiction of one of the Monroe-era chairs in a portrait of President James Monroe. The blue satin draperies were derived from an early 19th century French source. The walls were hung with a light gold paper adapted from an early 19th century American paper with borders adapted from two early 19th century French papers. The upper border is blue drapery swag; the lower border along the chair rail blue and gold with rosettes. Installation of a new oval carpet, based on early 19th century designs, completed the renovation project. The design was adapted from an original design for a neoclassical English carpet of about 1815, the period of the furnishings acquired by President James Monroe for the Blue Room.

 China Room

The "Presidential Collection Room", now the China Room, was designated by Mrs. Woodrow Wilson in 1917 to display the growing collection of White House china. The room was redecorated in 1970, retaining the traditional red color scheme determined by the portrait of Mrs. Calvin Coolidge--painted by Howard Chandler Christy in 1924. President Coolidge, who was scheduled to sit for Christy, was too occupied that day with events concerning the Teapot Dome oil scandal. So the President postponed his appointment, and Mrs. Coolidge posed instead.

The red theme continues in the red velvet-lined cabinets, silk taffeta draperies and the early 20th-century Indo-Ispahan rug. The cut glass chandelier, made about 1800, is in the English Regency style. Flanking the portrait of Mrs. Coolidge are Chippendale sidechairs used by President George Washington in the earlier presidential residences in New York and Philadelphia. The painting above the mantel, "View on the Mississippi Fifty-Seven Miles Below St. Anthony Falls, Minneapolis", was completed by Ferdinand Richard in 1858--the year Minnesota achieved statehood. Almost every past President is represented in the China Room either by state or family china or glassware. The collection is arranged chronologically, beginning to the right of the fireplace. Even the earliest Presidents received government funds to purchase state china. However, by a special clause in the appropriation bills, "decayed furnishings" could be sold and the proceeds used to buy replacements. Such "furnishings" included state china, and during the 19th century the cupboards were frequently swept clean and the contents carted off to auction. The money could then be used to order a new china service that better suited the President and his family. An array of presidential china is on display in the China Room.

 Entrance and Cross Halls

13 The large Entrance Hall and Cross Hall formed part of James Hoban's original plans for the White House. The basic design has not been altered, although modifications have been made during various renovations. During the 19th century two principal stairways led to the second floor. The broad staircase at the west end of the Cross Hall was removed in 1902 to increase the size of the State Dining Room. At the same time, the remaining stairway, opening into the Cross Hall, was enlarged. During the 1948-52 renovation, this stairway was repositioned to open into the Entrance Hall. The Cross Hall, with marble walls and floors added during the Truman renovation, is lighted by two Adam-style cut-glass chandeliers made in London about 1775. The bronze light standards date from the Roosevelt renovation of 1902 as does the design of the decorative plaster ceiling. Other Presidential portraits hang at the east end of the Cross Hall: Lyndon by Elizabeth Shoumatoff, Gerald Ford by Everett Raymond Kinstler, and Jimmy Carter by Herbert E. Abrams. A portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt painted by Frank O. Salisbury hangs at the west end of the hall. The Entrance Hall is seen by visitors as they leave the White House. It is set off from the Cross Hall by a colonnade and is decorated in the same style. Its furnishings include a French pier table purchased by Monroe in 1817 and a pair of French settees with carved mahogany swans' heads. A suite of early 19th-century Italian gilded furniture in the Empire style was placed in the halls in 1973. Herbert E. Abrams' portrait of George Bush hangs in the Entrance hall as does Aaron Shikler's portrait of John F. Kennedy. The Grand Staircase is often used on ceremonial occasions. Before state dinners, the President greets his guests of honor in the Yellow Oval Room; then they descend the stairs to the East Room where the other guests are gathered. Along the stairway hang portraits of 20th century Presidents, including Harry S. Truman by Greta Kempton, Dwight D. Eisenhower by J. Anthony Wills, Richard Nixon also by J. Anthony Wills, Herbert Hoover by Elmer W. Greene, and Warren Harding by F. Luis Mora; a portrait of Mrs. William Howard Taft by Bror Kronstrand is also in the stairway. Above the American pier table on the landing is F. Graham Cootes' painting of Woodrow Wilson. An English cut-glass chandelier from about 1810 to 1815 lights the stairway at the first landing. The Center and Cross Halls also serve as the visitors' exit for the White House Tour. Here visitors exit the main doors of the North Entrance to the White House.

 Diplomatic Reception Room

The Diplomatic Reception Room serves as an entrance to the White House from the South Grounds for the family and for ambassadors arriving to present their credentials to the President. In the past, the area has had diverse uses: as a boiler and furnace room and as the site of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's fireside chats.

14 Since 1960, the room has been furnished as a drawing room of the Federal Period (1790-1820)--with many fine examples of the craftsmanship of New York and New England cabinetmakers. The gold-and-white color scheme was chosen at that time. A Regency chandelier of cut glass and gilt bronze was added in 1971. The current rug, installed in 1983, was woven specially for the room. Its border incorporates emblems of the 50 states. The striking panoramic wallpaper in this room, "Views of North America," was first printed in 1834 by Jean Zuber et Cie in Rixheim, Alsace. The complete set of 32 somewhat fanciful scenes, based on engravings of the 1820's, shows American landscapes that were particularly admired by Europeans. Starting to the left of the doorway from the Ground Floor Corridor are the Natural Bridge of Virginia, Niagara Falls, New York Bay, West Point, and Boston Harbor. Wooden blocks were used to print on panels composed of small sheets of paper.

 East Room

The East Room, scene of many historic White House events, was designated by architect James Hoban as the "Public Audience Room." It normally contains little furniture and traditionally is used for large gatherings, such as dances, after-dinner entertainments, concerts, weddings, funerals, award presentations, press conferences, and bill- signing ceremonies. Today the East Room retains the late 18th- century classical style to which it was restored by architects McKim, Mead & White during the Theodore Roosevelt renovation of 1902. An oak floor of Fontainebleau parquetry was installed at the time as were the bronze electric-light standards, upholstered benches, and three Bohemian cut-glass chandeliers. The walls were paneled in wood with classical fluted pilasters and relief insets. The paneling was painted white, and delicate plaster decoration was added to the ceiling. The Steinway grand piano with gilt American eagle supports was designed by Eric Gugler and was given to the White House in 1938 by the manufacturer. It is decorated with gilt stenciling by Dunbar Beck. The full-length portrait of George Washington that hangs here is one of several replicas painted by Gilbert Stuart of his "Landsdowne" portrait. It is the only object known to have remained in the White House since 1800--except for periods of reconstruction, such as after the British burned the mansion during the War of 1812. Local artistry, 1818: President Monroe purchased 24 chairs for the East Room from William King, a cabinetmaker in Georgetown. One of these chairs is pictured here. During the Civil War years and the administration of Abraham Lincoln there was much activity in the East Room. At one time during the war Union troops occupied the room. In 1864, the East Room was the scene of a large reception given by President Lincoln in honor of Ulysses S. Grant shortly before his appointment as head of all the Union armies. In April of 1865 the East Room was again filled with people, but this time they were mourners surrounding the body of President Lincoln after he had been assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Seven Presidents have lain in state in the East Room, including John F. Kennedy in November 1963.

15 When President Arthur redecorated the White House in 1882, Louis C. Tiffany found it necessary only to install silver paper on the ceiling of the East Room and to increase the number of potted plants. All of the heavy Victorian adornments were swept away in the 1902 restoration. During the Theodore Roosevelt Administration, this room became the scene of some unusual activities, including a wrestling match arranged to entertain some 50 to 60 guests of the President. The exuberant Roosevelt children are also known to have used the East Room for roller-skating.

 Blue Room

Although intended by architect James Hoban to be the "Common Dining Room," the Green Room has served many purposes since the White House was first occupied in 1800. The inventory of February 1801 indicates that it was first used as a "Lodging Room." Thomas Jefferson, the second occupant of the White House, used it as a dining room with a "canvas floor cloth, painted green," foreshadowing the present color scheme. James Madison made it a sitting room since his Cabinet met in the East Room next door, and the Monroes used it as the "Card Room" with two tables for the whist players among their guests. Styles in the room changed as frequently as the tastes of the Presidents until the time of Theodore Roosevelt, when it was furnished with reproductions of early 19th-century American furniture. Not until the Coolidge administration, however, was authentic Federal-period furniture placed in the room.

 The Green Room

The Green Room was completely refurbished in 1971. Its walls were re-covered with the delicate green watered-silk fabric originally chosen by Mrs. Kennedy in 1962. Draperies of striped beige, green, and coral satin--a major part of the 1971 renovation--were carefully designed from a pattern shown in an early 19th-century periodical. The coral and gilt ornamental cornices are surmounted by a pair of hand-carved, gilded American eagles with outspread wings. The eagle, patriotic symbol of the United States, was one of the favorite decorative motifs of the Federal period and appears in many forms in the room. In "a noble, or genteel house," wrote Thomas Sheraton, the English furniture designer, a drawing room "should possess all the elegance embellishments can give." Most of the furnishings now in the Green Room date from the years 1800-15, the period of Sheraton's greatest influence on American decor. The walls of the Green Room are covered with elegant paintings of various people and scenes.

 Library

16 "Tubs Buckets and a variety of Lumber" cluttered Room 17 of the basement in February 1801, according to the first official White House inventory. The room served mainly as a laundry area until Theodore Roosevelt's renovation of the Ground Floor in 1902, when it was designated a "Gentlemen's Ante-Room". In 1935, it was remodeled as a library, and in 1961 a committee was appointed to select works representative of a full spectrum of American thought and tradition for the use of the President, his family, and his staff. This wide-ranging collection is still being augmented with Presidential papers. The Library is furnished in the style of the late Federal period (1800-1820) with most of the pieces attributed to the New York cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe. It is less formal than the rooms of the State Floor and is often used for teas and meetings. The soft gray and rose tones of the paneling are complemented by a Tabriz carpet of the mid-19th century. The gilded wood chandelier with a painted red band was made about 1800 and belonged to the family of James Fennimore Cooper, author of The Last of the Mohicans and other classics.

On the west wall is a neoclassical mantel that came from a house in Salem, Massachusetts. It dates from the early 19th century and is decorated with grape-leaf swags and bellflower pendants. On the mantel rests a pair of English silver-plate Argand lamps, a gift of the Marquis de Lafayette to Gen. Henry Knox, Secretary of War in Washington's Cabinet. Such lamps, named after their Swiss inventor, Aimé Argand, were a major innovation; George Washington ordered some in 1790, noting that by report they "consume their own smoke...give more light, and are cheaper than candles". One of the bookshelves displays an unusual lighthouse clock made by Simon Willard to commemorate the visit of the Marquis de Lafayette to the United States in 1824-25. A likeness of Lafayette appears in a medallion on its base. Portraits of Native Americans by Charles Bird King flank the east door, and a fifth hangs over the entrance to the corridor. The Library was completely redecorated in 1962 as a "painted" room typical of the early 1800's and was refurbished again in 1976. The paneling, now a soft gray color, dates from the Truman renovation of 1948-52. Old timber removed when the mansion was stripped to a shell was made into paneling for various Ground Floor rooms.

 Map Room

The Map Room, used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a situation room from which to follow the course of World War II, now serves as a private meeting room for the President or the First Lady. It was decorated in 1970, and again in 1994, as a sitting room in the Chippendale style, which flourished in America during the last half of the 18th century. Named after the English furniture designer Thomas Chippendale, this style combines the graceful lines of Queen Anne furniture with carved motifs in more elaborate rococo, Gothic, and Chinese styles. The handsome, walnut high chest of drawers on the south wall was made in Philadelphia about 1770 and has shell carvings on its pediment and apron and the knees of its cabriole legs. The open-arm easy chair is attributed to Philadelphia cabinetmaker Thomas Affleck and dates between 1760 and 1770. The simple sandstone mantel was made from stone removed during the Truman renovation of the White House. Above it hangs the last situation map prepared in this

17 room for President Roosevelt, on April 3, 1945. To the right of the fireplace is a chest of drawers with a serpentine front made in Philadelphia about 1765. On it rests a medicine chest that is believed to have belonged to President and Mrs. James Madison and to have been taken from the White House just before the building was burned during the War of 1812.

A rare 1755 French version of a map charted by colonial surveyors Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson (Thomas Jefferson's father) hangs on the east wall, covering a case of world maps presented by the National Geographic Society.

 Red Room

Furnished in the Empire style of 1810-30, the Red Room contains several pieces of furniture from the New York workshop of the French-born cabinetmaker Charles-Honoré Lannuier. Benjamin Latrobe's 1803 drawing of the State Floor indicates that the Red Room served as "the President's Antichamber" for the Cabinet Room or President's Library next door. During the Madison Administration the antechamber became the "Yellow Drawing Room" and the scene of Dolley Madison's fashionable Wednesday night receptions. In "that centre of attraction" said a lady who knew her well, one saw "all these whom fashion, fame, beauty, wealth or talents, have render'd celebrated." Descriptions in contemporary accounts and bills of sale indicate that Monroe purchased furnishings for the Red Room, as well as for the present day Blue Room, in the prevailing Empire style. This style suited Monroe's desire to furnish the house in a manner that he considered appropriate to the dignity of the nation. The room has usually served as a parlor or sitting room; recent Presidents have had small dinner parties here. In 2000 the Red Room was refurbished, preserving the American Empire style chosen in 1962 during the Kennedy Administration. The elegance of the Red Room furniture derives from a combination of richly carved and finished woods in characteristic designs such as dolphins, acanthus leaves, lion's heads, and sphinxes. The furniture displays many motifs similar to those of the French pieces now in the Blue Room. Egyptian motifs were extensively used in French Empire furnishings following Napoleon's 1798-99 campaign in Egypt, and many of these same designs were adopted by cabinetmakers working in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. All the fabrics now in the Red Room were woven in the United States from French Empire designs. The walls are covered by a red twill satin fabric with a gold scroll design in the borders. The furniture, like the American Empire sofa, is upholstered in a silk of the same shade of red. An early 19th-century design inspired the draperies. The carpet--of beige, red and gold--is a reproduction of an early 19th-century French Savonnerie carpet in the White House collection; it was made for the room in 1997. The 36-light French Empire chandelier was fashioned from carved and gilded wood in 1805. Some of the paintings in the Red Room today are available for viewing.

18  State Dining Room

The State Dining Room, which now seats as many as 140 guests, was originally much smaller and served at various times as a drawing room, office, and Cabinet Room. Not until the Andrew Jackson administration was it called the "State Dining Room," although it had been used for formal dinners by previous Presidents. As the nation grew, so did the invitation list to official functions at the White House. During the renovation of 1902 by architects McKim, Mead & White, the room size was enlarged after the main stairway from the west end of the Cross Hall was removed. The two Italian marble mantels installed by Monroe were moved to the Red and Green Rooms; a single larger fireplace was constructed on the west wall. The architecture of the room was modeled after that of neoclassical English houses of the late 18th century. Below a new ceiling and a cornice of white plaster, natural oak wall paneling with Corinthian pilasters and a delicately carved frieze was installed. Three console tables with eagle supports, made by the A. H. Davenport Co. of Boston, were placed against the walls, and a silver-plate chandelier and complementing wall sconces were added. When not set for a state dinner, as seen above, the mahogany dining table, surrounded by Queen Anne-style chairs, displays part of Monroe's gilt service purchased from France in 1817. The ornamental bronze-doré pieces are used today as table decorations. The plateau centerpiece, with seven mirrored sections, measures 14 feet 6 inches in length when fully extended. Standing bacchantes holding wreaths for tiny bowls or candles border the plateau. Three fruit baskets, supported by female figures, may be used to hold flowers. The two rococo-revival candelabra date from the Hayes administration. Carved into the mantel below George P. A. Healy's portrait of President Lincoln is an inscription from a letter written by John Adams on his second night in the White House: I pray Heaven to Bestow the Best of Blessings on THIS HOUSE and on All that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but honest and Wise Men ever rule under this roof.

 Vermeil Room

The Vermeil Room, sometimes called 1991; it serves as a display room and, for formal occasions, as a ladies sitting room. The soft yellow of the paneled walls complements the collection of vermeil, or gilded silver, bequeathed to the White House in 1956 by Mrs. Margaret Thompson Biddle. The vermeil collection contains pieces from different services and includes the work of English Regency silversmith Paul Storr (1771-1844), French Empire silversmith Jean- Baptiste-Claude Odiot (1763-1850), and Philip Rundell of London, who crafted the vermeil wine cooler at the right. The cooler has as its handles classical figures reaching for grapes from an arbor. The green silk draperies are of early 19th-century design. The carpet is a Turkish Hereke of about 1860, chosen for its pale green background and gold silk highlights. In the center of the room stands a circular mahogany table made in the Empire style in the

19 19th century. Its tilt top is veneered in 12 wedge-shaped sections, each inlaid with a brass star. Hanging above it is a cut-glass chandelier with ten arms, which was made in England about 1785. Portraits of seven First Ladies are exhibited in the Vermeil Room. Against the south wall is a New York sofa circa 1815 attributed to the workshop of Duncan Phyfe. It has scrolled ends and a reeded frame. Two pairs of American Empire card tables with lyre- form supports stand against the east and west walls.

IV. MEMORIALS AND LANDMARKS

20  The National Mall and Memorial Parks

Officially established in 1965, National Mall & Memorial Parks contains some of the oldest protected park lands in the National Park Service. The sprawling lands of the National Mall & Memorial Parks include the Mall, the public promenade extending from 3rd Street near the Capitol to 14th Street. The National Mall is the continuation of that space where congressionally authorized park icons, such as the Washington Monument, WWII and Lincoln Memorials stand. This historic expanse is the linear area between the Potomac River and Capital Reflecting Pool. In addition to the memorial core, the park includes some 156 reservations, circles, fountains and other open spaces, all of which serve as the nation’s front yard. Ford’s Theatre, The House where Lincoln died, Potomac Park, Hains Point and Pennsylvania Avenue NHS are also among the park managed areas that constitute National Mall & Memorial Parks. Having over 1,000 acres of National Park Service managed land within the Nation’s Capital, National Mall & Memorial Parks provides visitors with abundant opportunities to commemorate presidential legacies; honor the courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty of war veterans; celebrate the United States commitment to freedom, equality and democratic ideals; and enjoy symbolic architecture, historic vistas and renowned natural landscapes.

 The Library of Congress

The Washington Library of Congress, in the Capitol Hill area of Washington DC, is the national library of America and is actually the world's largest library and one of the major landmarks in Washington DC. Its three enormous buildings are home to more than 100 million items, including the papers of over 20 presidents, along the 535 miles / 856 km of bookshelves. There is an interesting short film shown in the ground-floor's visitor's center and guided tours of the Washington Library of Congress are available. One of the main attractions is the grand Main Reading Room, which features high ceilings and impressive architecture. The Washington Library of Congress is situated close to the Capitol South Metro train station.

 The National Archives

21 The National Archives is the official library where the records of the three branches of the U.S. government are kept and preserved. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are on display here. A collection of pictures taken during the Civil War by the famous photographer Matthew Brady are also on display. The building is located on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. The agency was created in 1934 and the building was completed in 1935.

 Washington Monument

Washington Monument, obelisk-shaped tower, 555 ft 5 1/9 in. (169.3 m) high, located on a 106-acre (43-hectare) site at the west end of the Mall, Washington, D.C.; dedicated 1885. In 1783, Congress passed a resolution approving an equestrian statue of George Washington, and in 1791 architect Pierre L'Enfant included a site for the statue near the present location of the monument in his plans for the federal city. Washington, however, objected to the idea. After Washington's death in 1799, plans for a memorial were discussed but none was adopted until 1832, when the private Washington National Monument Society was formed. Its activity brought gifts of money as well as blocks of stone from each state, some foreign governments, and private individuals. These “tribute blocks” carry inscriptions on the inside walls of the monument. Architect Robert Mills's elaborate Greek temple design was accepted for the monument, and on July 4, 1848, the cornerstone was laid. Work on the project was interrupted by political quarreling in the 1850s; by the Civil War, funds became scarce. It was not until 1876 that Congress took over the project and appropriated money for the monument. The base, entirely different from Mills's design, was completed in 1880; the aluminum top was positioned in 1884; and the monument was opened to the public in 1888. The top may be reached by elevator; public access by the stairs is no longer permitted. The monument underwent renovation from 1997 to 2000.

 Smithsonian Institution

A rich English researcher, James Smithson, left all his money to create a museum in Washington, D.C. to “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” And he never even visited the United States! He also left his scientific library and his collection of minerals for the new museum. The Smithsonian is not just one building. It is a network of museums and art galleries, research projects and special performances. It includes 14 museums. Some of them are the National Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History and the National Portrait Gallery.

 Lincoln Memorial

22 The construction of this memorial to the 16th President of the United States started in 1914 and was completed in 1922. It is located on the west end of the Mall. Architect Henry Bacon modeled the marble, granite and limestone building after the Greek Parthenon. The inside of the memorial is divided into three chambers: central, north and south. A white marble statue of President Lincoln sits in the central chamber. The Gettysburg Address, which Lincoln gave on November 19, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is in the south chamber, and his second inaugural speech is in the north chamber. The 36 Doric columns on the outside of the memorial represent the number of states in the Union at the time of Lincoln's death in 1865.

The Statue Daniel Chester French, the leading American sculptor of the day, created the famous statue of Lincoln which dominates the interior. The memorial plans originally specified a 12-foot bronze statue, but it proved out of scale for the huge building. The finished statue is 19 feet tall, carved of 28 blocks of white Georgia marble. French later had special lighting installed to enhance the figure. Visitors sometimes ask if the hands have special significance (such as forming the letter "A" in sign language), but there is no indication French intended it.

Inscriptions Directly behind the Lincoln statue you can read the words of Royal Cortissoz carved into the wall: "IN THIS TEMPLE AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE FOR WHOM HE SAVED THE UNION THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS ENSHRINED FOREVER

 Jefferson Memorial

In 1934, Congress authorized the construction of a memorial to honor Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. He is considered the political philosopher of the American Revolution. He also drafted the Declaration of Independence. Architect John Russell Pope, who designed the memorial, used some of Jefferson's own architectural preferences in his design. The memorial, like Jefferson's home in Monticello, is based on the Roman Pantheon. Construction of the circular marble building was finished in 1943. It is located near the Potomac River and overlooks the Tidal Basin, which is surrounded by Japanese flowering cherry trees.

 Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Vietnam Veterans Memorial, war memorial in Washington, D.C., built 1982. Designed by the

23 American sculptor and architect Maya Ying Lin, it is a sloping, V-shaped, 493-ft (150-m) wall of highly polished black granite that descends 10 feet (3.05 meters) below grade level at its vertex. Often called simply “The Wall,” it is inscribed with the names of the more than 58,000 Americans killed or missing during the Vietnam War. The austere, abstract nature of Lin's design, which was selected after a nationwide competition, at first made it a controversial way of memorializing the war's casualties. In the years since its construction, however, the simple, evocative, and starkly dramatic wall has become a national shrine, drawing more annual visitors than the Washington Monument or the Lincoln Memorial. Two nearby sculptures also honor those who served in the war; one is of three soldiers by Frederick E. Hart (erected 1984), the other of three nurses and a wounded soldier by Glenna Goodacre (erected 1993). This memorial to the men and women who died in the Vietnam War also serves to remind the people who didn't agree with the United States' participation in the unpopular war that thousands of Americans lost their lives in the jungles of Vietnam. Congress authorized the memorial in 1980, and more than 1,400 people submitted design ideas for the memorial. A 21-year-old Yale University student, Maya Lin, won the contest. The V-shaped memorial is made of black granite. The names of more than 58,000 veterans who lost their lives in the war are etched in the wall.

 World War II Memorial

The National World War II Memorial commemorates the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces during the Second World War, the more than 400,000 soldiers who died in it, and the millions more who supported the war effort from home. Designed by Friedrich St. Florian, it is located in the National Mall, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. It is the size of a football field, and contains arches, pillars, a wall of stars, fountains, a pool, and many inscriptions. It was authorized in 1993, and dedicated in 2004.

 Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery occupies 612 acres in Virginia on the Potomac River, directly opposite Washington. In 1864, Arlington became a military cemetery. More than 240,000 service members and their dependents are buried there. In 1921, an Unknown American Soldier of World War I was buried in the cemetery. The monument at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was opened to the public in 1932. Two additional Unknowns, one from World War II and one from the Korean War, were buried there on

24 May 30, 1958. The Unknown Serviceman of Vietnam was buried on May 28, 1984. In June 1998 he was identified as First Lt. Michael Blassie, an Air Force pilot from St. Louis. The inscription carved on the Tomb of the Unknowns reads: HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD

 U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

The Holocaust Museum opened in 1993 and is located near the Mall, which is where many of Washington's museums and memorials are located. The museum is America's national institution for the documentation, study and interpretation of Holocaust history. The memorial houses the largest collection of material about the murder of more than six million Jews by Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945. It cost more than $168 million to build the museum. Because many of the exhibits are graphic and upsetting, children under age 12 should probably wait until they are older to visit the museum.

 FDR Memorial

Located along the famous Cherry Tree Walk on the Western edge of the Tidal Basin near the National Mall, this is a memorial not only to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but also to the era he represents. The memorial traces twelve years of American History through a sequence of four outdoor rooms-each one devoted to one of FDR's terms of office. Sculptures inspired by photographs depict the 32nd President: a 10-foot statue shows him in a wheeled chair; a bas-relief depicts him riding in a car during his first inaugural. At the very beginning of the memorial in a prologue room there is a statue with FDR seated in a wheelchair much like the one he actually used. Unlike the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials which are compact, covered and focused on a single statue of each president, the FDR memorial is vast, uncovered, and focused on numerous statues, quotes, and waterfalls. Halprin's design honors FDR by telling the story of the president and the country in a chronological order. Since Roosevelt was elected to four terms of office, Halprin created four "rooms" to represent the twelve years of Roosevelt's presidency. The rooms, however, are not easily defined and the memorial is more accurately described as a long, meandering path, bordered by walls made of red South Dakota granite.

 U.S. Capitol

25 The Capitol building is rich in historic associations. It was in the old Senate chamber that Daniel Webster cried out, “Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable!” In Statuary Hall, which used to be the old House chamber, a small disk on the floor marks the spot where John Quincy Adams was fatally stricken after more than 50 years of service to his country. A whisper from one side of this room can be heard across the vast space of the hall. This is where Congress meets and conducts business. It is located on the east end of the Mall. Construction of the building started in 1792, and its design was modified several times, until it was finished in 1865. The Capitol's most recognizable feature is the 180-foot-high cast iron dome of the Great Rotunda. In addition to its historical association, the Capitol Building is also a vast artistic treasure house. The works of such famous artists as Gilbert Stuart, Rembrandt Peale and John Trumbull are displayed on the walls. The Great Rotunda is decorated with a massive fresco by Constantino Brumidi. A monorail subway joins the House and Senate wings of the Capitol with the Congressional office buildings. The Capitol Building is also a vast artistic treasure house. The works of such famous artists as Gilbert Stuart, Rembrandt Peale, and John Trumbull are displayed on the walls. The Great Rotunda, with its 180-foot- (54.9-meter-) high dome, is decorated with a fresco by Constantino Brumidi, which extends some 300 ft (90 m) in circumference. Throughout the building are many paintings of events in U.S. history and sculptures of outstanding Americans.The 68-acre (27.5-hectare) park that the Capitol is situated on was designed by the 19th-century landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. There are free guided tours of the Capitol, which include admission to the House and Senate galleries. Those who wish to visit the visitors' gallery in either wing without taking the tour may obtain passes from their senators or representatives. Visitors may ride on the monorail subway that joins the House and Senate wings of the Capitol with the congressional office buildings.

The Pentagon The Pentagon serves as the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. As one of the world's largest office buildings, it has a floor space of 3,705,793 square feet, or three times that of the Empire State Building in New York. The Pentagon houses a daily working population of approximately 24,000 employees, both military and civilian. The Pentagon Reservation is located in southeastern Arlington County, Virginia, and is situated between a large man-made lagoon (the Pentagon Lagoon, formed during construction) and the southeastern corner of Arlington National Cemetery. The northeastern and eastern facades have unobstructed vistas of the Monumental Core of the Nation’s Capital across

26 the Potomac River. The Pentagon’s relatively low profile also permits clear vistas of Washington from the highlands of Arlington National Cemetery. The Pentagon Complex is composed of 200 acres of lawn as well of 16 parking lots, which hold approximately 8,770 cars. Despite 17.5 miles of corridors it takes only seven minutes to walk between any two points in the building. It houses more than 4,200 clocks, 691 water fountains, 284 rest rooms, one dining room, 2 cafeterias, 6 snack bars and one outdoor snack bar. Restaurant service is outsourced under contract to a civilian operation. The Pentagon building, constructed in the early years of World War II in the space of only 16 months, is composed of five concentric pentagonal rings connected by ten radial corridors. The structure is three times the size of the Empire State Building and 50 percent larger than Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. The five concentric pentagonal rings are separated by interior courts which serve as light wells. This design feature increases the number of windows allowing natural light. Each ring has five stories. The Mall and River sides of the building have a Basement area which includes a partial Mezzanine. The innermost and outermost rings have sloping slate roofs, while the other three rings have flat, built-up roofs. The rings are connected at each floor level by a series of ten radial corridors extending from the “A” ring (innermost) to the “E” ring (outermost). The building was constructed in the early years of World War II in the space of only 16 months, and was completed on January 15, 1943 at a cost of roughly $83 million. Its construction managed the consolidation of 17 buildings belonging to the War Department, and required 5.5 million cubic yards of earth, 41,492 concrete piles, as well the dredging of 680,000 tons of sand and gravel into 435,000 cubic yards of concrete. On September 11, 2001 the Pentagon was attacked by terrorists flying an airplane. About 2,000,000 square feet was damaged by the will cost about $700 million to repair.

V. Economy

Major Industries and Commercial Activity A 2004 report by the D.C. Chamber of Commerce characterized the local economy as diversifying and growing, though still narrowly specialized and externally driven. The Washington area ranks first among all national metropolitan areas in federal procurement dollars. Taking advantage of that influx of capital, as well as the city's advantage as the center of all national capital functions, will be key to the D.C. area's future economic vitality and job growth. Between 2000 and 2015 key sectors driving the economy will continue to be the federal government, technology, construction and international business. However, manufacturing has never been a strong suit.

27 People often think of Washington, D.C. as a "company town" where most people work for the federal government. However, in the early twenty-first century, only one of six workers in the area was on the government payroll. By contrast, there has been a great deal of growth in the private service sector, which now accounts for one of every three jobs. In recent decades it has played a growing role in Washington's economy. Important contributors to the District's economy include the service sector (which employs one out of every three workers), high-technology companies (for whom the federal government provides the world's largest market), financial institutions, printing and publishing, and telecommunications. The largest non-government employers are George Washington University, the Potomac Electric Power Company, Georgetown University, Howard University, The Washington Post, Bell Atlantic Washington, and the Federal National Mortgage Association. In addition, a substantial segment of the capital's business is conducted by the 1,000-plus special-interest groups and national associations who maintain headquarters there. Still, many of these employees work for companies who rely on government contracts. As the largest consumer of technological equipment and service in the world, the federal government stimulates business through purchases, research and development funding, and grant and loan programs. As a result, Washington is a magnet for growth industries, such as paper products, telecommunications, information and computer firms, and many service industries, especially tourism and hospitality firms. There are more than 500 publishing and printing companies in the district to produce the vast array of documents generated by the federal government. In addition, the city houses more than 1,000 national associations' headquarters and lobby groups who need a presence in the district to attempt to shape and influence the legislation process on their own behalf. The Capital City has an inventory of nearly 100 million square feet of office space. A key to office development has been the growth of the Metrorail subway stations. Commercial projects have typically followed the opening of new subway stops. Many of the new buildings are connected directly to the stations through underground tunnels that also serve retail stores and restaurants. Major residential projects on Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. and at Market Square include residential housing units mixed with other types of retail, office, and commercial uses.

Footnotes

1. The District of Columbia, founded on July 16, 1790, is a federal district as specified by the United States Constitution. The U.S. Congress has ultimate authority over the District of Columbia, though it has delegated limited local rule to the municipal government. The land forming the original District came from the states of Virginia and Maryland. However, the area south of the Potomac River (39 square miles or about 100 km²) was returned, or "retroceded", to Virginia in 1847 and now is incorporated into Arlington County and the City of Alexandria. The district is named after Columbus.

2. George Washington

3. Congress

28 4. The three branches4 of the U.S. federal government are:

5. the World Bank

6. The International Monetary Fund

7. The Organization of American States

8. The House of Representatives

9. The Evergreen State

On-line sources http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=4640

www. washington .org http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.

www. washingtondc .com http://ahp.gatech.edu/dc_map.html

29 http://app.dpr.dc.gov/DPR/information/parks/index.asp http://www.dc.gov/ http://cityguide.aol.com/washington http://www.nga.gov/ http://www.dchomepage.net/dchomepage/

YINGER Jon Anthony - United States : government and politics; WEST Edwin G. - Education and the State : A study in political economy; WEBSTER Donald H. - Washington state government : administrative, organization and functions; WILSON Woodrow- George Washington, fondatorul Statelor Unite; WOODWARD W. E. – George Washington. Then image and the man,

CONCLUSION

This paper is meant to enlighten the reader on Washington D.C., the fascinating capital of the United States of America. The five chapters introduce the reader into its geographical position, state symbols

30 that the inhabitants of the city take great pride in, the official home of the president, The White House, the numerous monuments and museums and the city’s flourishing economy. All these provide an idyllic setting to learn about the history of the "greatest nation of the modern world". The city's wealth of American history and culture is overwhelming and, hopefully, this paper will be the starting point of anybody’s desire to continue exploring the American heritage found here.

31