Washington, DC

A place that has its own unique identity, Washington, D.C. was founded on July 16, 1790, and functions as the nation’s capital and a symbol of power. It was President George Washington who chose the precise location of what would become the single most distinct city in the U.S. Frenchman Pierre Charles L’Enfant was given the privilege of designing the city, and he adopted a “grid system” in which the focal point was the Capitol building. Twenty-two years later, the War of 1812 brought devastation to Washington, D.C., when it was attacked by an invading British force that set ablaze a great portion of the city, destroying the White House, the Capitol and the Library of Congress and all the books it held. After the war, Washington remained relatively small up until the end of the Civil War in 1865, following which D.C. had become a magnet for freed slaves. Overtime, Washington has grown into a richly diverse and powerful place.

Washington, D.C. remembers important events and figures in history in memorials. The Lincoln Memorial, a towering marble statue of Abraham Lincoln, is a fitting tribute to his legacy. The Jefferson Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial honors U.S presidents Thomas Jefferson and Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) respectively. Paying homage to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial- a reminder of his fight for freedom, justice, and equality. The patriotic Marine Corps Iwo Jima Memorial honors all the brave marines lost in war since 1775. “Freedom is not Free” is the inscription on the Korean War Veterans Memorial, which features sculptured combat adorned soldiers, and photographic images of military support personnel. Recognizing the millions who served during WWII and those who lend support on the home front is the National WWII Memorial. Lastly, the Vietnam War Memorial remembers those U.S. soldiers who fought in the war.

On your visit to Washington D.C., learn about the city on one of its city tours. If not, head downtown to the National Mall and gaze into the reflecting pool or take-in the Washington Monument, the world’s tallest stone structure. October through March, witness the Changing of the Guard ritual at Arlington National Cemetery. Tour the historic and spectacular Embassy Row, home to foreign embassies, other diplomatic buildings, and beautiful mansions. The John F. Kennedy Center, the museums of the Smithsonian Institution, and the amazing Washington Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens all offers up both a rich cultural and historic piece of Washington, D.C. that is a must-see. History, politics, culture, and people all make Washington, D.C. the beautiful, unique, and diverse place that it is.

All sizes are approximate.