About This BlogExplore the history, culture, science, nature, architecture, and stories that link the iconic spaces in the National Mall and Memorial Parks to our nation and its people. The articles collected here are produced by NPS staff at the National Mall and Memorial Parks. The Nine Lives of a Soviet Tank Commander: Vasily Bryukhov's Service During World War Two
December 29, 2013
A Soviet tank soldier's remarkable experience fighting the Nazis in World War II helped the Allies win the war. Secret Symbol of the Lincoln Memorial
June 23, 2013
Decoding the hidden message in the Lincoln Memorial. Spoiler alert: it's not in his hair. Sailing on the Balmoral in the Path of the Titanic
February 24, 2013
Williams describes tracing the Titanic's fateful voyage on the centennial of the disaster. Titanic is remembered through memorials in downtown Washington, a landscape that was influenced by one of its victims. Pope's Jefferson Memorial
November 24, 2012
Jefferson knew that we would need constant reminders of our ideals: freedom, tolerance, and education. To deliver the message, John Russell Pope drew from Greek, Roman, and Renaissance architecture. The G.I. Bill of Rights - Reward and Investment
November 09, 2012
With war plants shutting down and laying off workers and millions of veterans looking for jobs, would depression return? President Franklin Roosevelt called on Congress to provide educational assistance, unemployment insurance, and other benefits to veterans of World War II. The Pride and Power of Nonviolence
August 22, 2011
By energizing millions of supporters around the country, King aimed to do more than win a few court cases on specific issues; he aimed to awaken the American conscience. "The arc of the moral universe is long," King said, "but it bends toward justice." King would bend the arc with a revolutionary form of protest. David Farragut: America’s First Admiral
October 16, 2012
In a lifetime of service beginning at the age of nine, David Farragut represented American ideals of bravery, loyalty and honor. Largely forgotten today, his service is remembered here in the nation’s capital. The Wily Fox
October 08, 2012
An intelligent, cunning and highly adaptable canine, the red fox is as suited to city life as it is to rural life. Guadalcanal: The Springboard of the Pacific
September 01, 2012
The words "Victory at Sea, Victory on Land, Victory in the Air" on the World War II Memorial reflect the Guadalcanal Campaign, the longest campaign of the Pacific War. Jefferson and Adams: Two Paths to Destiny
July 30, 2012
Jefferson and Adams' similarities and differences led them on intertwining paths to destiny. Silent Sentinels of Storied Landscapes
July 24, 2012
From the majestic elms along the National Mall and the stately oaks of Capitol Hill to the historic magnolias of the White House, and the graceful blossoms of the cherry trees, these trees not only witness history, but also serve as representatives of our nation's urban forests. The Signers of the Declaration of Independence
July 04, 2012
This July Fourth, as our nation celebrates the 236th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we should reflect on the 56 signers of this foundational decree. Presidential Pets
June 24, 2012
From dogs to bears these first families had them all. But like the saying goes, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog!" Learning from Collections: From Stone Carver to Lawyer
June 19, 2012
Anthony LaManna wrote about his time working at the Lincoln Memorial and how it changed the path of his life. "I had no more idea of studying law than the man on the moon, until I started working in the Lincoln Memorial." Discover a Monument: George Mason Memorial
June 17, 2012
Thomas Jefferson referred to Mason as "the wisest man of his generation." Gay Rights and Freedom of Speech
June 17, 2012
On October 14, 1979, the first nationally-organized mass of 100,000 lesbian and gay people passed by the Old Post Office Tower as they moved along Pennsylvania Avenue. A People at War: The Soviet Soldier in World War II
June 08, 2012
The World War II Memorial honors allies who helped us defeat the Axis nations. First Lady of Potomac Park: Nellie Taft
April 15, 2012
Within a month First Lady Taft had driven the first presidential auto to the new Potomac Park "Speedway," which she promptly renamed Potomac Drive, returning in hours with a plan for a Potomac Park. Doctor Lincoln?
January 16, 2012
It is not widely known that the honorary title of "doctor" was bestowed upon Lincoln by those in academia. Aw, Nuts!
December 16, 2011
The Battle of the Bulge developed as the Germans encircled the town of Bastogne, Belgium. One of those Americans who remembered those cold, snowy days, and who also received a copy of the famous offer of surrender of Bastogne, was my father, Thomas R. O’Brian Cherry Tree Rebellion
March 15, 2012
A group of approximately 150 women, led by Cissy Patterson, seized shovels from workers, re-filled holes, and prepared for a stand-off against workers and bulldozers in order to help save the trees. Cherry Blossom Centennial
March 01, 2012
March 27, 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the ceremonial planting of Japanese flowering cherry trees along the Tidal Basin by First Lady Helen Taft and the Viscountess Iwa Chinda, wife of the Japanese Ambassador. 90th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Lincoln Memorial
May 30, 2012
The construction and dedication of this memorial not only stood as a symbol of one our great presidents, but also as a temple to our reunification as a people. Despite the construction of the Lincoln Memorial, the nation would have a long way to go toward the completion of those ideals for which Abraham Lincoln stood. Acid Rain's Slow Dissolve
May 22, 2012
Remember acid rain? Although pollution levels have improved, it is still here, and you can see evidence of acid rain’s effects in several spots on the National Mall. Japanese Blood, American Patriot
May 14, 2012
Reflections on Jimmie Kanaya, a Japanese American, and a decorated veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Honoring Service and Sacrifice
May 01, 2012
Park Ranger Paul O'Brian reflects on the World War II Memorial and his family in the World War II era. |
Last updated: April 25, 2018