DOCSLIB.ORG

Information About Washington DC Preface: I Hope Each of You Are Looking Forward to the Washington, D. C. Trip As Much As I

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Information about Washington DC Preface: I hope each of you are looking forward to the Washington, D. C. trip as much as I am. Mr. Fifer and I have prepared this pamphlet in order you may get the most of your trip. The preparation prior to the trip is what sets your trip apart from many other so that you may reflect, enjoy, and experience our nation's capital. The City Today: The city of Washington takes up the entire District of Columbia, so they are essentially the same thing. DC is not state so it does not to send any Representatives or Senators to Congress, but it is worth three Electoral votes in the Presidential election. Washington, DC has a population of approximately 560,000 people, making it smaller than Columbus, Ohio. This is very misleading however. Counting the suburbs in Maryland and Virginia, DC has a metropolitan area of over 5 Million, fifth largest in the country, compared to 1.5 million for Columbus. You won't see any skyscrapers in DC, although you will see them across the Potomac River in Virginia. There is a height restriction in DC so that the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument are never overshadowed by other buildings. You will see statues; hundreds of statues of famous people are all over the city. History of DC: A site on the Potomac River for a new capital city was selected in 1788 as a compromise between the Northern and Southern states. The site was picked because it was on the "fall line" of the Potomac. Ships from the sea could get to DC on the wide, slow river, but just upstream there are rapids and the Great Falls of the Potomac that block water transportation. A small town called Georgetown, named after the King of England, not George Washington, already existed when DC was established. Georgetown was several miles away from the new White House. Today, Georgetown, better known for its shops, restaurants, and townhouses, has been absorbed into Washington, DC. It is also the home of Georgetown University which was founded in 1789, and is the oldest Jesuit and Catholic University in the United States Another town, Alexandria, was a thriving port on the Virginia side of the river. It is also known for fine shops and restaurants in old, restored buildings. Alexandria was once part of DC, but it was returned to Virginia in 1846. In the beginning, around d 1800, Washington Dc was a swampy area with a few farms, lots of mosquitoes and snakes, and sweltering summertime heat. Even as late as the Civil War, our 165th President, Abe Lincoln, reported that the city had only 60,000 people, unpaved streets that were either too muddy or dusty, and farm animals running around everywhere. In 1814, during the War of 1812, British forces captured Washington, DC and burned the Capitol Building and the White House. Only the stone walls were left standing. Both, of course, were rebuilt. The Potomac River used to be wider, with a lot of mud flats. When it was first built, the Washington Monument was actually right next to the Potomac River. The river has been filled in to create a lot of new land. The Lincoln Memorial would have been far out into the river originally. The land around the Tidal Basin and the Jefferson Memorial is all manmade. Arlington National Cemetery: Directly across the Potomac River from Washington, Dc is the Curtis-Lee Mansion on 210 acres owned by Robert E. Lee and his wife, Mary Anna (Custis) Lee, a great grand-daughter of Martha Washington. He was the most respected officer in the US Army when the Civil War started, and he was offered command o fall the Union (Northern) forces. However, Lee was a native Virginian, so he resigned from the US Army and became a genera in the Confederate (Southern) Army. Lee's house was confiscated by the Union. In 1864 a union general had his men bury dead soldiers nest to the house. This was the beginning of Arlington National Cemetery, named for a nearby town. Today, nearly 200,000 American military men and women and their families are buried here. Only a special act of congress can permit a non-veteran to be buried at Arlington. John F. Kennedy is buried here not because he was a President, but because he was a lieutenant in the Navy during World War II. Medal of Honor winners have gold lettering on their gravestones with an emblem of the medal. Confederate soldiers have pyramids on top of their gravestones. In addition to the thousands of simple graves, there are numerous monuments and memorials. Arlington National Cemetery is a place for quiet, respectful behavior. During the daytime, there is almost always a funeral in process. Keep your eyes open for signs of one. Only two presidents are buried in Arlington National Cemetery. One is William Howard Taft of Ohio, who was also Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The other is John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. Kennedy's grave is marked by an Eternal Flame fueled by gas. other family members are buried alongside, including a baby who did not live long. Near the graves you will find a curved wall overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington. On this wall are famous quotes from some of Kennedy's speeches. About 100 feet away from John Kennedy's grave you will find the simple, white cross of Robert Kennedy's resting place, the brother of the president. Robert was running for president and probably would have won when he too was assassinated in 1968. He wanted to help the poor people of our nation, so his family chose a simple, but beautiful white cross. The youngest of the Kennedy brothers, Edward "Ted" Kennedy, who served in the senate for nearly 47 years is also buried On the hill directly above the Kennedy graves is the Custis-lee Mansion once lived in by Robert E. lee. It is open to tourists. In front of this house is the grave of Pierre L'Enfant, the architect who designed the layout of Washington, DC. He was placed on this hill so his remains could overlook his city. This a great view of all of DC; you will probably want to take pictures at this location. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Located at Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is marked by a fifty ton block of white marble on which are carved the words, "Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God." An unidentified soldier from World War I was brought home from France and buried here. Later, unknown soldiers from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam were added. A few years ago, using DNA testing, the Vietnam War soldier was identified. His remains were removed from the Tomb and returned to his family, who made their own burial arrangements. Look for the three rectangular stone slabs in form of the main Tomb; this where the other soldiers were laid to rest. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is very symbolic. It really represents all the military men and women, known and unknown, who have ever given their lives fighting for the freedoms we Americans enjoy. The Tomb is guarded 24 hours a day by specially selected soldiers who feel it is a great honor to be assigned to this duty. A Changing of the Guard Ceremony occurs every hour during the daytime. At night, the soldier on duty is replaced every two hours. The Ceremony is very impressive. A Sergeant instructs the crowd to be silent and respectful and for men to remove their hats in respect. You may take pictures and video. He then brings out a fresh soldier and carries out a very thorough inspection. This soldier then replaces the one who has been on duty. In an hour, he will march past the Tomb 42 times, using 27 steps of exactly 30 inches each. The pauses before turning around are precisely timed to represent a 21 gun salute, a high military honor. The soldier's rifle, with bayonet attached, is always carried on the shoulder away from the Tomb. Often, wreath laying ceremonies arranged by school groups or other organizations are carried out, with the playing of Taps, between the Changing o the Guard Ceremonies. Behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a 4,000 seat amphitheater. Special ceremonies occur here on Memorial day and veterans day. Mr. fifer was able to attend a veterans day ceremony here in 1989 that featured very patriotic music played by military musicians. Colin Powell, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, walked right past Mr. fifer and placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Near the amphitheater is the tall, white mast of the Battleship USS Maine, which mysteriously blew up in Havana, Cuba in 1898 and trigger the Spanish-American War. Also nearby is a small monument that marks the braves of seven astronauts who died in 1986 when the space shuttle Challenger exploded. This a special place for Mr. fifer because he was involved in the NASA Teacher Program and he met Christa McAuliffe, the Teacher in Space whose remains are here. The Mall: This is not a shopping mall. The National Mall is a long, grassy, park area in the heart of the city. It was designed by Pierre L'Enfant to be a focal point. On either side of the Mall are the Smithsonian and other important buildings.
Recommended publications
  • Park Sites of the George Washington Memorial Parkway

    Park Sites of the George Washington Memorial Parkway

    National Park Service Park News and Events U.S. Department of the Interior Virginia, Maryland and Potomac Gorge Bulletin Washington, D.C. Fall and Winter 2017 - 2018 The official newspaper of the George Washington Memorial Parkway Edition George Washington Memorial Parkway Visitor Guide Drive. Play. Learn. www.nps.gov/gwmp What’s Inside: National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior For Your Information ..................................................................3 George Washington Important Phone Numbers .........................................................3 Memorial Parkway Become a Volunteer .....................................................................3 Park Offices Sites of George Washington Memorial Parkway ..................... 4–7 Alex Romero, Superintendent Partners and Concessionaires ............................................... 8–10 Blanca Alvarez Stransky, Deputy Superintendent Articles .................................................................................11–12 Aaron LaRocca, Events ........................................................................................13 Chief of Staff Ruben Rodriguez, Park Map .............................................................................. 14-15 Safety Officer Specialist Activities at Your Fingertips ...................................................... 16 Mark Maloy, Visual Information Specialist Dawn Phillips, Administrative Officer Message from the Office of the Superintendent Jason Newman, Chief of Lands, Planning and Dear Park Visitors,
  • Mount Rushmore U.S

    Mount Rushmore U.S

    National Park Service Mount Rushmore U.S. Department of the Interior Mount Rushmore National Memorial Keystone, South Dakota Sculptor Gutzon Borglum The path which led Sculptor John Gutzon de la The Artist Matures Mothe Borglum to Mount Rushmore began on a Borglum’s two years in Paris were spent studying homestead near Bear Lake, Idaho, where he was art at the Julien Academy and the Ecole des born in march of 1867. his father, James Borglum, Beaux-Arts. He had successful showings at had immigrated to this country from Denmark a major Paris salons and developed some valuable few years earlier. Shortly after Gutzon’s birth his friendships, including a close relationship with the family moved to Utah. By the time Borglum was great French sculptor, Auguste Rodin, who carved seven they were living in Fremont, Nebraska. The Thinker. After leaving France, Borglum spent a year in Spain and then returned to California. Three years later in 1896, he once again left for Europe; this time settling in England. Here he achieved some success. Some of his works were displayed at Windsor Castle for Queen Victoria. He returned to the United States in 1901. Back in this country, Borglum led a life marked by artistic success, public service, and occasional controversy. During this period he created many of his finest works. His Mares of Diomedes was accepted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. He did a large equestrian bronze of General Phil Sheridan which Theodore Roosevelt unveiled in Washington. He also created a memorial to Pickett’s Charge on the Gettysburg Battlefield.
  • Netherlands Carillon Rehabilitation

    Netherlands Carillon Rehabilitation

    Delegated Action of the Executive Director PROJECT NCPC FILE NUMBER Netherlands Carillon Rehabilitation 7969 Arlington Ridge Park Arlington, Virginia NCPC MAP FILE NUMBER 1.61(73.10)44718 SUBMITTED BY United States Department of the Interior ACTION TAKEN National Park Service Approve as requested REVIEW AUTHORITY Advisory Per 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1) The National Park Service (NPS) has submitted for Commission review site and building plans for the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington Ridge Park in Arlington, Virginia. The Netherlands Carillon is a 127-foot-tall open steel historic structure that sits within Arlington Ridge Park, near the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. It was a gift from the people of the Netherlands to the people of the United States in gratitude for American aid during and after World War II, and symbolizes friendship between the two countries, and their common allegiance to the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy. The carillon is cast from a bronze alloy and features 50 bells, each carrying an emblem and verse representing a group within Dutch society. The original gift of the bells was conceived in 1950, which were completed and shipped to the United States in 1954 and hung in a temporary structure in West Potomac Park. The current structure was constructed in 1960 by Dutch architect Joost W.C. Boks, and is recognized as one of the first modernist monuments constructed in the region. The structure sits within a square plaza, and is flanked by two bronze lion sculptures. To the east of the plaza is a tulip library, also a gift from the Dutch, which was planted in 1964.
  • Alaska Regional Directors Offices Director Email Address Contact Numbers Supt

    Alaska Regional Directors Offices Director Email Address Contact Numbers Supt

    Alaska Regional Directors Offices Director Email Address Contact Numbers Supt. Phone Fax Code ABLI RegionType Unit U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Alaska Region (FWS) HASKETT,GEOFFREY [email protected] 1011 East Tudor Road Phone: 907‐ 786‐3309 Anchorage, AK 99503 Fax: 907‐ 786‐3495 Naitonal Park Service(NPS) Alaska Region (NPS) MASICA,SUE [email protected] 240 West 5th Avenue,Suite 114 Phone:907‐644‐3510 Anchoorage,AK 99501 Bureau of Indian Affairs(BIA) Alaska Region (BIA) VIRDEN,EUGENE [email protected] Bureau of Indian Affairs Phone: 907‐586‐7177 PO Box 25520 Telefax: 907‐586‐7252 709 West 9th Street Juneau, AK 99802 Anchorage Agency Phone: 1‐800‐645‐8465 Bureau of Indian Affairs Telefax:907 271‐4477 3601 C Street Suite 1100 Anchorage, AK 99503‐5947 Telephone: 1‐800‐645‐8465 Bureau of Land Manangement (BLM) Alaska State Office (BLM) CRIBLEY,BUD [email protected] Alaska State Office Phone: 907‐271‐5960 222 W 7th Avenue #13 FAX: 907‐271‐3684 Anchorage, AK 99513 United States Geological Survey(USGS) Alaska Area (USGS) BARTELS,LESLIE lholland‐[email protected] 4210 University Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508‐4626 Phone:907‐786‐7055 Fax: 907‐ 786‐7040 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management(BOEM) Alaska Region (BOEM) KENDALL,JAMES [email protected] 3801 Centerpoint Drive Phone: 907‐ 334‐5208 Suite 500 Anchorage, AK 99503 Ralph Moore [email protected] c/o Katmai NP&P (907) 246‐2116 ANIA ANTI AKR NPRES ANIAKCHAK P.O. Box 7 King Salmon, AK 99613 (907) 246‐3305 (907) 246‐2120 Jeanette Pomrenke [email protected] P.O.
  • Discover Woman American History

    Discover Woman American History

    soei D g American Democracy et. 07 How Women Shaped American Life and Culture Prepared by Susan Sullivan Lagon,Ph.D., Historian, The Jefferson, Washington, DC The Jefferson, Washington, DC • 1200 16th St. NW • Washington DC, 20036 1 The Jefferson, Washington, DC • 1200 16th St. NW • Washington DC, 20036 How Women Shaped American Life and Culture Prepared by Susan Sullivan Lagon, Ph.D., Historian, The Jefferson, Washington, DC John Adams, whose bust is opposite Thomas Jefferson’s in the lobby, was a faithful correspondent with his wife Abigail while she remained in Massachusetts. In a famous letter from Abigail to her husband on March 31, 1776, she wrote: “I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.” Day One Walking Tour From the hotel, head south on 16th St. to Lafayette Square. The large building at H St. and Madison Place is Dolley Madison House. The stately home was built in 1820 by Congressman Richard Cutts who was married to Dolley Madison’s sister Anna.
  • The Confederate Informant

    The Confederate Informant

    The Confederate Informant the official newsletter of the Major James Morgan Utz Camp #1815 Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Brigadier General Francis Marion Cockrell Chapter #84 of the Military Order of the Stars and Bars.....March 2015 ************************************************************************************************* Camp Officers Commander...Dave Roper; [email protected] 1st Lt. Commander...Duane Mayer; [email protected] 2nd Lt. Commander, Florida...Rojer Snyder 2nd Lt, Commander, Pilot Knob...Rob Graham; [email protected] Adjutant....Brad Bludsworth; [email protected] Treasurer...Bill Bowden; [email protected] ******************************************************************* In this issue.................................................. Commander's Call...page2 Chaplain's Corner & Liberty Quotes...page3 Camp News..............page4 Lt. Sam Kennard......page5 Capt. Robert McCulloch........page 6 MOSB Report....page7 My Confederate Ancestor...page8 visit our camp website at...www.utzfmc.wordpress.com 1 Commander's Call...... Let me begin by saying that those who were at the February Meeting just raved about our new meeting place. We had a great meeting even though we had to reschedule, we still had great attendance. Everyone liked the discussion we had on why my Confederate Ancestor fought for Southern Independence. The next Camp Meeting will be March 14 at our new home the Committee Commons 427 Spencer Rd. St. Peters MO. If you need directions call Dave Roper at 618-304- 7758 or email [email protected]. I know it will only be 3 weeks since or last meeting but we are trying to keep our meetings on the 2nd Saturday of each month. We are also getting into our busy time of the year. February 28th was the Jefferson Barracks Swap Meet that was held at the Affton White Rodgers Community Center 9801 Mackenzie, St.
  • Bibliography

    Bibliography

    BIBLIOGRAPHY Adams, William Howard, ed. The Eye of Thomas Jefferson. Blake, Channing. “The Early Interiors of Carrère and Hastings.” Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1981. The Magazine Antiques 110 (1976): 344–351. Aikman, Lonnelle. We, the People: The Story of the United Blum, John M., et. al., eds. The National Experience. New States Capitol. Washington: U. S. Capitol Historical Society, 1991. York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., 1963. Alex, William. Calvert Vaux: Architect & Planner. New York: Bowling, Kenneth R. Creating the Federal City, 1774–1800: Ink, Inc., 1994. Potomac Fever. Washington: The American Institute of Archi- tects Press, 1988. Alexander, R. L. “The Grand Federal Edifice.” Documentary Editing 9 (June 1987): 13–17. Bowling, Kenneth R., and Helen E. Veit., eds. The Diary of William Maclay and Other Notes On Senate Debates. Balti- Allen, William C. “In The Greatest Solemn Dignity”: The Capi- more: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1988. tol’s Four Cornerstones. Washington: Government Printing Bristow, Ian C. Interior House-Painting Colours and Tech- Office, 1995. nology 1615–1840. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1996. ———. “‘Seat of Broils, Confusion, and Squandered Thousands’: Brown, Glenn. “Dr. William Thornton, Architect.” Architectural Building the Capitol, 1790–1802.” The United States Capitol: Record 6 (1896): 53–70. Designing and Decorating a National Icon. Athens: Ohio University Press, 2000. ———. History of the United States Capitol. 2 vols. Washing- ton: Government Printing Office, 1900, 1902. ———. The Dome of the United States Capitol: An Architec- tural History. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1992. ———. Memories: A Winning Crusade to Revive George Washington’s Vision of a Capital City.
  • Gordon Bond All Were Created by Sculptors Who Also Have Celebrated Works in Newark, New Jersey

    Gordon Bond All Were Created by Sculptors Who Also Have Celebrated Works in Newark, New Jersey

    Sitting in Military Park, at the heart of Newark’s downtown revival, Gutzon Borglum’s 1926 “Wars of America” monumental bronze is far more subtle than its massive size suggests, and possessing of a fascinating and complicated history few who pass by it each day are aware of. hat does Mount Rushmore, the Washington quarter, W and New York's famed Trinity Church Astor Doors all have in common? Gordon Bond All were created by sculptors who also have celebrated works in Newark, New Jersey. When people hear "Newark," they almost gardenstatelegacy.com/Monumental_Newark.html certainly don't think of a city full of monuments, memorials, and statuary by world renowned sculptors. Yet it is home to some forty-five public monuments reflecting a surprising artistic and cultural heritage—and an underappreciated resource for improving the City's image. With recent investment in Newark's revitalization, public spaces and the art within them take on an important role in creating a desirable environment. These memorials link the present City with a past when Newark was among the great American metropolises, a thriving center of commerce and culture standing its ground against the lure of Manhattan. They are a Newark’s “Wars of America” | Gordon Bond | www.GardenStateLegacy.com Issue 42 December 2018 chance for resident Newarkers to reconnect with their city's heritage anew and foster a sense of pride. After moving to Newark five years ago, I decided to undertake the creation of a new guidebook that will update and expand on that idea. Titled "Monumental Newark," the proposed work will go deeper into the fascinating back-stories of whom or what the monuments depict and how they came to be.
  • Directory Carillons

    Directory Carillons

    Directory of Carillons 2014 The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America Foreword This compilation, published annually by the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America (GCNA), includes cast-bell instruments in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The listings are alphabetized by state or province and municipality. Part I is a listing of carillons. Part II lists cast- bell instruments which are activated by a motorized mechanism where the performer uses an ivory keyboard similar to that of a piano or organ. Additional information on carillons and other bell instruments in North America may be found on the GCNA website, http://gcna.org, or the website of Carl Zimmerman, http://towerbells.org. The information and photos in this booklet are courtesy of the respective institutions, carillonneurs, and contact people, or available either in the public domain or under the Creative Commons License. To request printed copies or to submit updates and corrections, please contact Tiffany Ng ([email protected]). Directory entry format: City Name of carillon Name of building Name of place/institution Street/mailing address Date(s) of instrument completion/expansion: founder(s) (# of bells) Player’s name and contact information Contact person (if different from player) Website What is a Carillon? A carillon is a musical instrument consisting of at least two octaves of carillon bells arranged in chromatic series and played from a keyboard permitting control of expression through variation of touch. A carillon bell is a cast bronze cup-shaped bell whose partial tones are in such harmonious relationship to each other as to permit many such bells to be sounded together in varied chords with harmonious and concordant effect.
  • Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) Inventory Listing the Numerous BEP Historical Postage Stamp Production Folders, 2016

    Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) Inventory Listing the Numerous BEP Historical Postage Stamp Production Folders, 2016

    Description of document: Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) inventory listing the numerous BEP historical postage stamp production folders, 2016 Requested date: 19-January-2016 Released date: 01-February-2016 Posted date: 28-March-2016 Source of document: Disclosure Officer Bureau of Engraving and Printing Office of the Chief Counsel - FOIA and Transparency Services 14th & C Streets, SW, Room 419A Washington, D.C. 20228-0001 Fax: (202) 874-2951 The governmentattic.org web site (“the site”) is noncommercial and free to the public. The site and materials made available on the site, such as this file, are for reference only. The governmentattic.org web site and its principals have made every effort to make this information as complete and as accurate as possible, however, there may be mistakes and omissions, both typographical and in content. The governmentattic.org web site and its principals shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information provided on the governmentattic.org web site or in this file. The public records published on the site were obtained from government agencies using proper legal channels. Each document is identified as to the source. Any concerns about the contents of the site should be directed to the agency originating the document in question. GovernmentAttic.org is not responsible for the contents of documents published on the website. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING WESTERN CURRENCY FACILITY FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76131 February 1, 2016 FOIA/PA Request No.
  • P.S.: You Had Better Remove the Records: Early Federal Archives

    P.S.: You Had Better Remove the Records: Early Federal Archives

    “P.S.: You had better remove the records” Early Federal Archives and the Burning of Washington during the War of 1812 By Jessie Kratz hen British troops began to advance toward And so clerks packed Wthe United States’ new capital of Wash­ such things as the books and ington in the summer of 1814, it was clear that papers of the State Department; government leaders had not prepared an adequate unpublished secret journals of defense for the city and its government buildings. Congress; George Washington’s The British navy already had control of nearby Chesa­ commission and correspondence; peake Bay and some 4,500 troops in the port town of the Articles of Confederation; papers Benedict, Maryland—poised for an attack on the capital. of the Continental Congress; and all the Despite the show of force, the secretary of war, treaties, laws, and correspondence dating John Armstrong, was convinced the British were back to 1789. more interested in the port of Baltimore than in Along with these early records, the clerks Washington, which then had only 8,200 residents. also bagged up the Charters of Freedom—the Secretary of State James Monroe felt differently collective term for the Declaration of Indepen­ and met with President James Madison to discuss dence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. the enemy’s intentions. Then Monroe himself rode And so these three documents began a long jour­ by horse, accompanied by cavalry, into southern ney as the War of 1812 raged. Maryland to scout the situation. The journey would not end until 1952, when Upon seeing the British advancing toward all three were placed together, side by side, in special Washington, Monroe dispatched a note to Presi­ encasements in the Rotunda of the National Archives dent Madison.
  • Didn't Sleep Here. Abraham Lincoln Passed Through New Jersey Just

    Didn't Sleep Here. Abraham Lincoln Passed Through New Jersey Just

    Abraham Lincoln passed through New Jersey just three times, but... Lincolndidn’t sleep here. by Gordon Bond t is ironic perhaps that the majority of those who have held the highest office in the land are, by and large, forgotten in popular I American culture. Administrations tend to have a shelf-life roughly limited to a generation. Times change and the immediacy of new events naturally shove what was once important into the realm of historians. It is, of course, true that a few have managed to survive the fate of a James K. Polk or a Franklin Pierce. John F. Kennedy, cut down in his prime by an assassin’s bullet, remains strong in the collective national memory. Richard M. Nixon will be remembered, for better or worse, for the Watergate scandal that drove him from office. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s tenure during the latter days of the Great Depression and most of the Second World War secure him popular recognition. Some conservatives today regard Ronald Reagan with similar reverence, and Barrack Obama will forever be known as the nation’s first African- Abraham American president. The passage of time, of course, will be the final arbiter in how embedded these men remain or become in the national Lincoln has a sense of self. Presidential historians can well-argue their cases as to why this lot going for president was more significant than that. But two in particular reign above all the rest as secular gods in the popular pantheon of the Republic—George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It’s easy to him in terms understand Washington’s preeminence.