The National Mall is a classroom of our nation's history. From the capitol to the Lincoln Memorial one will find monuments and mementos to our history.

The National Capitol
The U.S. Grant Statue
The Jefferson Memorial
The Spirit of St. Louis
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
The Korean War Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans' Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial
The Washington Monument

Each year on the 4th of July, thousands of visitors gather on the Mall to celebrate the holiday and watch the fireworks. The National Symphony—a national treasure—performs Tchaikovsky's “1812 Overture.” I have often wondered how many listeners think it celebrates the War of 1812, that is “our” War of 1812.

Updated November 30, 2002