It would be going too far to describe the entire history of the United States here, but it is clear that it has endured much since its discovery by Columbus in 1492. Think about; the European mainly British colonies, expulsion of Indigenous people, independence of America, bringing in the slaves, the Civil War, different presidents with different views, participation in many wars, equality for Black people and more. All these events have made America to what it is today, a proud country with surely some differences especially between the Republicans and Democrats. Many of these historical moments are remembered in the various museums and memorials.

Many of the historical events are commemorated in beautiful and impressive memorials or told in the beautiful and informative museums. In many different places in Washington D.C. there are memorials to ex-presidents and important people. See below the monuments I visited during my cycling morning through Washington:

Washington Monument

Built from 1848-1884 to honor George Washington. He was the first president of the United States. The 555-foot marble obelisk tower represents the greatness, respect and gratitude for the great leader Washington was. The tower monument stands like the man in no one’s shadow like the president!

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Was designed in classical architecture, the taste of Jefferson. The monument is an impressive building with steps to an open dome with a statue of Jefferson with inscribed texts in the stone walls.

Jefferson was the third president of the United States and known for writing the Declaration of Independence together with the Freedom of Religion. Thomas Jefferson was a multifaceted man, in addition being a politician he was a philosopher, scientist, lawyer, inventor, writer and founder of Jeffersonian architecture. He inherited the Monticello farm estate with slaves near Charlottesville, see blog All Museums are for free!!.

Abraham Lincoln Memorial

Abraham Lincoln is the personification of the American dream and considered the greatest president ever. He defended the country’s unity in the Civil War and abolished slavery in 1863. His memorial has a very dominant place at the start of the National Mall of Washington. His marble statue in an open building with steps overlooking the mirror lake is breathtaking.

Do a bike tour of all the memorials, fun and informative including explanations!

Franklin Roosevelt Memorial

Franklin Roosevelt was the 32nd President of Amerika but the first who completed four presidential terms. He steered the United States through the difficult years of the Great Depression and World War II. In 1921 at the age of 32 he was stricken with polio, which put him in a wheelchair with paralyzed legs. Franklins wife was known too, Eleanor Roosevelt. She was elected as the first president of the United Nations on Human Rights. You will see both in the five outdoor memorial rooms, one room stands for one presidential term and a prologue. You can read his famous freedom speech carved in stone and a lot of water. Really different than the previous Memorials, liked this one!

Martin Luther King Memorial

Martin Luther King was a political leader and the main member of the Afro-American Civil Right Movement. He inspired millions worldwide with his “I Have a Dream” speech. The Baptist minister led the way in the non-violent struggle against racial segregation and racism. He received a Nobel Prize of Peace in 1964. In 1968 at the age of 39 he was assassinated. The “Out of the Mountain of Despair, a Stone of Hope Memorial” is really beautiful and iconic with reference to the “ I Have a Dream” speech, where Martin Luther King is hewn out of a mountain. Really impressive scenery and location, a must go!

Arlington National Cementry

Arlington Cemetery has about 400,000 graves with about 20-30 burials per day in 259 hectares of ground. The National cemetery is operational since May 1864 where soldiers who die on active duty, retired members of the Armed Forces and certain veterans are eligible for burial here. You can find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier here as well with frequent changes of the guard.

I booked for 19 USD, the hop on hop off train, that took me around the vast grounds. I recommend you to do the same. The terrain is so stretched that walking around will take a lot of time.

The first stop of the train was at the grave of John F Kennedy, his wife Jackie and two children. Compared to all the huge Memorials of all the Presidents above this Memorial is really modest, but judge for yourself. Oddly enough this cemetery is well worth visiting. You will recognize a lot from the television and serries where soldiers die and have there memorial including the wrapped flag. Impressive.

Most of the memorials are located on the so-called National Mall. Still it’s easier to cycle and do a whole memorial tour. Next to the persons that have their own memorial, there are also a couple of memorials dedicated to the wars where America participated.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

My first thought was, Korean War, was there a war in Korea? Everybody will remember the Vietnam war but from 1950 to 1953 the United States fought with the United Nations in Korea against a threat to democratic nations worldwide. The memorial represents 38 statues of marching soldiers crossing the Korean landscape during the war. On the side a stone wall with the casualties names engraved. All again very impressive, how many names are written there.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

A reflecting black granite wall with the 58.318 names of the men and women who died in combat or listed missing. The Memorial, a wall that is hidden in the landscape in the green grass, is a pilgrimage for the families and others honoring the ones who served in the Vietnam War. Many of them bring flowers, medals and photographs to place them at the memorial by the name of their loved ones. Very touching to see.

World War II Memorial

An impressive area between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument at the National Mall. The Word War II Memorial honors 16 million miliary and over 400.000 US sacrifices in this war. The memorial looks like an amphitheater surrounded with granite columns and a pool with fountain in the center. On the side you see a wall with 4.048 golden stars, representing number of casualties.

All the memorials are real tourist attraction for all visitors to Washington. I agree, there are a lot of memorials, and perhaps you will have an overload, but it’s good to realize that many of our freedom we have to thank the Americans for.