Mysterious Monuments of America. Unesco World Heritage: Historical Monuments of the United States The Statue of Liberty in Harsh Numbers
On this day in 1906, US President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the so-called Devil's Tower in Wyoming the country's first National Monument. Since then, their number has grown significantly, so we have chosen the most interesting of them.
Devils Tower, Wyoming
As the first of the National Monuments of the United States, Devil's Tower actually gave rise to this list, a list of natural and man-made treasures of the colossal size of the country, which may well serve as a tourist guide to a state the size of half a continent. Enjoying special love, both among the Americans themselves and among guests from all over the world, the majestic monolithic mountain strikes the eye even outside the context of any lists - a one and a half kilometer whitish column of volcanic rock, formed as a result of a unique combination of circumstances during ancient eruptions in these places.
Aniakchak, Alaska
One of the most beautiful and simply beautiful places on the list of US National Monuments, a unique natural reserve, the beauty of which landscapes can overwhelm any place on the planet, for some strange reason, ranks last in the list in terms of the number of visitors. A monstrous injustice, about as monstrous as the mistake that a tourist would make when he went to Alaska and ignored this miracle of nature. The majestic range of ancient mountains with giant calderas and relict lakes gives the impression that you are on another planet.
Giant Sequoia, California
Sequoia, rising into the sky for nearly ninety meters, and in a circumference of almost forty meters. And not alone. There are countless colossi among the giants in the protected forest of California, which occupies almost one and a half thousand square kilometers - you can literally walk from grove to grove, of which there are almost forty in the park, trying to visually decide where the sequoias are still higher. This, of course, is very unlikely to turn out, but there will be a lot of quivering impressions from the power of nature.
George Washington Carver, Missouri
Uncle Tom's cabin, so to speak. A man-made monument, created not at all in order to be included in the list of the most important natural and historical values of the United States, but with much more mundane goals - for life. What is amazing, but the childhood home of the great American black botanist George Washington Carver was included in the list of National Monuments during the rampage of racial segregation, in 1943. And even more - this is not only the first of the National Monuments dedicated to American blacks, but also the first man-made, to which more than one of former presidents countries. The rest is a nineteenth-century farm museum, a piece of old America.
Montezuma Castle, Arizona
There are not so few historical places, one way or another connected with the life and work of people of the pre-Columbian era, in the list of National Monuments, but it is the "Castle of Montezuma" that deserves the first place here. If only because it instantly erases from the cultural memory cinematic pictures about nomads in wigwams as the pinnacle of American aboriginal civilization before the arrival of the colonialists. And then there is also a respectable age - this castle was built in the rock back in 700 AD. And, yes, extremely unusual architecture, because of which this building got its name - archaeologists assumed that it was the ancient Aztecs who got to these places. But no, the castle was abandoned by people long before Montezuma II sat on the Aztec throne. Representatives of one of the tribes of the indigenous population of North America lived here, and now anyone can walk under the rocky vaults.
AT This day was the official opening of the Statue of Liberty in America.
This is a symbol that stands at the mouth of the Hudson in New York Harbor and meets and sees off many people arriving on the Continent from the Old World))) the statue is often called the "symbol of the USA", "the symbol of freedom and democracy", "Lady Liberty", etc. .
The statue was created by the sculptor Frederic Bartholdi, and Gustave Eiffel designed the internal supporting structure. The copper statue of the Goddess of Liberty was presented by France in honor of the centenary of US independence and as a token of friendship between the two states.
The Statue of Liberty rises from the rooftops in Paris, 1884. (AP Photo/Agence Papyrus)
According to one version, the model was a French model: the beautiful, recently widowed Isabella Boyer, wife of Isaac Singer, creator and entrepreneur in the field of sewing machines. “Before posing, she had just freed herself from the presence of her husband, who left her with only the most desirable attributes in society: a fortune ... and children.
The Statue of Liberty was originally planned to be installed in Port Said under the name The Light Of Asia, but the then Egyptian government decided that it was too costly to transport the structure from France and install it.
Work on the statue in the workshop of the sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi in Paris, 1876. (AP Photo/Agence Papyrus)
By mutual agreement, America was to build a pedestal, and France was to create a statue and install it in the United States. However, the lack of money was felt on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In France, charitable donations, along with various entertainment events and a lottery, raised 2.25 million francs. In the United States, theatrical performances, art exhibitions, auctions, and boxing fights were held to raise funds.
Work on the creation of a statue in the workshop of the sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi in Paris, 1880. (AP Photo/Agence Papyrus)
The statue arrived in New York on June 17, 1886 aboard the French steamer Isery. Transported from France to the USA disassembled - it was divided into 350 parts, packed in 214 boxes.
Over the next four months, it was assembled and mounted on a granite pedestal in front of the courthouse on the grounds of Fort Wood.
The grand opening of the Statue of Liberty took place on October 28, 1886 (on the first photo). The Statue of Liberty is the symbol of the USA.
It is located on Liberty Island about three kilometers from the southern tip of Manhattan, one of the districts of New York. The Goddess of Liberty holds a torch in her right hand and a likeness of a book (tablet) in her left. Oddly enough, but the geographical location of the statue is not in the city of New York
The inscription on the tablet reads: "JULY IV MDCCLXXVI" ("July 4, 1776") - the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. One leg of the statue rests on broken chains. The seven prongs in her crown symbolize the seven seas or the seven continents. With one foot, “freedom” stands on broken chains.
Visitors walk 356 steps to the crown of the Statue of Liberty or 192 steps to the top of the pedestal. There are 25 windows in the crown, which symbolize earthly gems and heavenly rays illuminating the world. The seven rays on the crown of the statue symbolize the seven seas and seven continents (Western geographical tradition has exactly seven continents: Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Antarctica, Australia).
The height from the ground to the tip of the torch is 93 meters, the height of the statue itself, from the top of the pedestal to the torch, is 46 meters. The length of the index finger is 2.44 m. The thickness of the waist is 10.67 m ...)))
The statue was built from thin sheets of copper minted in wooden moulds. The total weight of the copper used to cast the statue is 31 tons, while the total weight of its steel structure is 125 tons. The formed sheets were then mounted on a steel frame. The total weight of the concrete base is 27 thousand tons. The thickness of the copper coating of the statue is 2.57 mm.
In 1886-1916, the Statue of Liberty was accessible to tourists who could climb to its very top. From the crown of the statue, there was an extensive view of New York Harbor. Now only the stairs to the pedestal are open.
For size comparison.
The Buddha of the Spring Temple, the Statue of Liberty, the Motherland, the statue of Christ the Redeemer and David by Michelangelo...
Inside the plinth is the Museum of the Settlement of America and the history of the statue itself. For more than a century of history, the statue has been repaired and improved several times. The last major work took place in 1986, on the centenary of the Statue of Liberty.
In 1984, it was included in the list of objects under the special protection of UNESCO.
Do you know what the American Statue of Liberty and its French original look like?))))
To Hekate. Given certain attributes of the sculpture, a number of authors came to the conclusion that the Statue of Liberty is Hekate, the ancient Greek goddess of darkness, horror and night, the patroness of magicians and sorcerers. One mention of it in antiquity led to awe.
First of all, a torch and an original headdress helped to identify Hekate in the image of the Statue of Liberty.
According to the Philosophumene, her power extended to a three-part temporal sphere - past, present and future. The goddess drew her magical power from the moon, which has three phases - new, full and old. Like Artemis, she was accompanied everywhere by a pack of dogs, but Hekate's hunt is a night hunt among the dead, graves and ghosts of the underworld. Food and dogs were sacrificed to Hekate, her attributes were a torch, a scourge and snakes.
Obelisk calling to God
One of the American monuments, which has long been subjected to various hoaxes and fanned by conjectures and conjectures, is the Washington Monument, the construction of which was completed in 1884. This is a memorial to the first President of the United States, George Washington. Between 1884 and 1889 it was the tallest building in the world, and today is one of the tallest stone monuments. For a long time, a legitimate question arises in the minds of the public, why the authors decided to perpetuate the memory of the first president of America in the style of an Egyptian obelisk, which, to put it mildly, does not correspond to traditional American iconography. However, the enigmatic form of the monument is explained only by the obsession with the history and culture of ancient Egypt that went off scale in the 80s of the 19th century.
However, the obelisk still has its interesting secrets. For example, the monument's aluminum dome, which remains invisible to the average observer, has inscriptions on each of its sides. Most of these inscriptions are just the names of the architects and other people who worked on the monument, but the east side, facing the rising sun, bears the Latin phrase "Laus Deo", which means "Praise God".
In addition, at the base of the monument there are several secret items that were placed there at the beginning of construction in 1848, including the Bible, copies of the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, a portrait of Washington, a map of Washington and the District of Columbia, as well as one American coin of the time ...
Mount Rushmore and the Chamber of Secrets
Another hallmark of the United States is Mount Rushmore with relief images of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Construction on Mount Rushmore began in 1927, with the presidents' faces carved between 1934 and 1939. The author of the work, Gutzon Borglum, died in 1941, and funding for the project ended the same year. It is known that the original version of the monument was supposed to depict four presidents to the waist, and they remained unfinished. But this was not the only idea that was not implemented.
They also say that original idea Borglum was that there should be a giant inscription next to the head of Washington, which would list the nine most significant events in American history. But when one of his employees pointed out that no one would be able to read even such a giant inscription from afar, Borglum decided instead to create a huge chamber called the Hall of Records, which would explain why these four people deserve to be immortalized in the form of huge rocky reliefs.
The construction of the hall was started, but it also failed to be completed. Now it is an empty room cut into the rock, about 75 feet long and 35 feet high, hidden behind the head of Abraham Lincoln. Despite all sorts of insinuations about the gold hidden there, according to the official version, there are only a few engraving panels in the room made by Borglum himself and that's it ... For security reasons, the hall is not accessible to visitors, so we can only guess what is there.
"Lady Liberty"
The Statue of Liberty is perhaps the most iconic monument in the United States. It is a widely and universally recognized symbol of America's commitment to freedom and democracy. Officially called "Liberty Enlightening the World", the statue was a gift from the people of France to the people of America in 1886. The symbol of "Enlightenment" is a giant torch, which she holds in her right hand.
It turns out that there is a room in the torch that tourists could climb into, until 1916. However, there is a mysterious story about some German spies who, already during the war, blew up the ammunition depot adjacent to the statue, as a result of which several people were killed, about a hundred were injured, and the arm and torch of Lady Liberty were also damaged. The damaged parts were not replaced until 1984, and the torch, which was virtually completely replaced, was never opened to the public again. Now the most high point statue, which can be climbed by those who wish, this is her crown.
Another lesser known fact is what the legs of the statue look like. Indeed, they are quite difficult to see from a variety of vantage points. It turns out that she is standing on broken chains, raising her right leg to take a step forward. It is believed to symbolize the abolition of slavery in the US after the Civil War and the dedication to progress.
Fascia Abe Lincoln
The Lincoln Memorial is a rather powerful sculptural representation of one of America's greatest presidents, credited as such for his role in preserving the United States and abolishing slavery.
Naturally, a lot of mystical rumors have also been circulating around the monument for a long time. Either his hands show something mysterious in sign language, or the face of Robert E. Lee (Confederate General) or Jefferson Davis (Southern President), with whom Lincoln fought, can be seen from the back of the head of "Honest Abe" ...
The US National Park Service quite rightly notes that these rumors have no basis in fact. real basis. The fact is that many visitors looking for secrets that do not exist often do not see the strongest symbolism that is actually right in front of their eyes. This is "Fashi" or "Fascia".
The Fasha symbol came to us from history ancient rome. These are the famous Lictor bundles of elm or birch twigs tied with a leather strap, often with an ax inside the bundle. Fashi is a symbol of the power of unity. One rod breaks easily, but put together they are much stronger. The use of fashes is intended to symbolize executive power Lincoln, as well as his belief in the strength of a single nation.
It is unlikely that there will be at least one other country in the world that can compare with the United States of America in terms of scale, the number of natural and man-made attractions, the variety of climatic zones and recreational opportunities.
This country is very different. It's one thing to go to the northern, rather harsh state of Maine, and quite another to sunny California, with its noisy Los Angeles and picturesque beaches. In the USA, you can arrange a shopping tour of New York shops and wander through the untouched expanses of one of the national parks.
It is almost impossible to see all the beauties and features of the United States during one trip. Only a trip to New York can take several days, and if you also go to such popular tourist cities as Miami or Las Vegas, your trip will definitely drag on for weeks.
It is noteworthy that in the US everyone can find entertainment to their liking. If you want to get a dose of excitement, the well-developed Las Vegas casino industry is at your service. If you dream of seeing the famous Niagara Falls - great, this is the place for you! History buffs, townspeople who dream of enjoying untouched nature, shopaholics, and those who want to learn the basics of surfing or just lie on the beach will find something to see here.
Another highlight of the United States is a huge number of traditions brought to this country by numerous immigrants. Here, next to a Chinese restaurant, you will definitely find a traditional pizzeria, near a pretentious French restaurant - an exotic Thai institution. In this article, we will only talk about the most famous attractions in the United States.
Popular hotels and hostels at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles/day
What to see in the USA?
The most interesting and Beautiful places, photos and a short description.
This strict lady with a burning torch and a tablet is a symbol not only of New York, but of all America. Created in France, the Statue of Liberty has taken root perfectly on its island near Manhattan. Against its background, all tourists without exception are photographed, traditionally becoming a pose that has become famous all over the world with an outstretched hand.
2. Manhattan
The historic center of New York, the heart and the most famous, expensive, prestigious, noisy area of the city. There is an incredible amount of people, cars, shopping centers and office complexes. Manhattan has repeatedly become the "hero" of Hollywood films, the scene of thrillers and romantic comedies.
Yes, yes, this is the same mountain on which the portraits of the four most famous US presidents are carved: Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. This otherwise unremarkable mountain is located in South Dakota, near the town of Keyston. The height of this bas-relief is 18.6 meters, so that the presidents are visible from afar.
One can talk about the beauty and power of this most famous waterfall in the world for a long time, but the spectacle itself cannot be replaced by anything. There are several ways to admire Niagara: from a helicopter, from a tunnel under powerful jets of water and, of course, from the coast, and from different sides. In any case, it is incredibly beautiful, and also very noisy.
This is the central Washington Monument, erected as a symbol of state power right between the Capitol and the White House. The granite obelisk, 169 meters high and weighing about 91 tons, is lined with beautiful Maryland marble. By the way, you can take the elevator to the top of the Washington Monument, or by breaking the 896 steps.
At one time, this suspension bridge in San Francisco was the longest in the world, but now it is far from the champions, because it was built in 1937. However, the Golden Gate still looks very respectable and slender, being a recognized hallmark of the city, showing off on postcards and photos.
If Manhattan is the heart of New York, then Times Square is the heart of Manhattan itself! This square is an incredibly popular and lively place where crowds of people flock. This place is also called the "Great White Way" and the "crossroads of the world." Bright advertisements, lots of shops - Times Square never sleeps.
This place in the center of Washington is visited every year by at least five million people. The slender building with columns can serve as an example of classical antique architecture, and Abraham Lincoln himself, the sixteenth president of the United States, greets visitors at the entrance. Several legends are associated with the monument, which guides will gladly tell you about.
What can I say, this is really the Grand Canyon, a real miracle of nature, which takes the breath away from even the most experienced travelers. It is located in the state of Arizona and is the most unusual geological object on our planet. Tourists are most attracted by the opportunity to stand on a glass platform above the canyon.
One of the few islands of greenery, again located in Manhattan. This is one of the most famous parks in the world, a wonderful place where thousands of residents of the metropolis come to relax every day. Here they jog, sit on the grass, admire lakes and swimming ducks, and children play on well-equipped playgrounds.
And again Manhattan! This street is considered one of the most expensive, the most fashionable, the most pretentious and, of course, one of the most famous in the world. Just imagine how many famous personalities walked along its sidewalks, went into boutiques and cafes! It is from Fifth Avenue that the countdown of all New York streets begins.
The best place to drop a few thousand dollars is a Las Vegas casino. In this noisiest and brightest American city, you will be easily signed with the first person you meet, you will be given whiskey to drink and will be happy to help you get rid of extra money. Just don't get too carried away, because you can end up with absolutely nothing!
The Hoover Dam or Dam is one of the most interesting and large-scale hydraulic structures in the United States. It stands in the Black Canyon, in the lower part of the Colorado River, and became the reason for the formation of the reservoir. The Hoover Dam was built in 1936 and is located in the vicinity of Las Vegas, so it will be possible to combine a casino and a visit to an interesting place.
This is not a man-made attraction at all, but a natural masterpiece located in the territories of the states of Utah and Arizona. These are the lands of the Navajo tribe and the park of the same name, which attracts tourists with unusual landscapes. It's no surprise that cowboy movies and commercials have been filmed here many times!
One of the wonders of nature, which still has no explanation. These stones are also called creeping or sliding. Imagine huge boulders that slowly move along the bottom of a dried-up lake in the famous Death Valley, leaving grooves in their wake. Where they crawl, why, the stones, of course, do not tell, and scientists have not been able to establish this for sure.
Of course, not every tourist will be able to visit this attraction, except to admire the view from afar. We are talking about the highest peak in North America, located in Alaska. It is noteworthy that Russian polar explorers were the first to reach the vicinity of Mount McKinley, and disputes about who exactly managed to conquer this peak first do not stop to this day.
Burning Man or Burning Man, that is, "burning man", is an annual event that takes place in the Black Rock Desert (Nevada). For eight days, the desert turns into a contemporary art exhibition, at the end of which a statue of a wooden man is burned. It is customary to come here in decorated cars and in bright costumes.
This highway is rightly called the "mother of all American roads." Highway 66 is four thousand kilometers long and connects such big cities, like Los Angeles and Chicago, located in different parts of the USA. Thus, the highway became a symbol of the unity of America, had a significant impact on the life of the country and its economic development.
This is part of Fifth Avenue, which we have already talked about earlier. This section of the street with a length of 1.6 kilometers received this name thanks to a dozen museums located on it. The famous Metropolitan Museum of Art is located here. National Academy, National Design Museum, Museum of African Art and a number of other museums.
Yellowstone National Park is a UNESCO-listed site that occupies parts of the states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Yellowstone is known for its geysers, picturesque landscapes, untouched nature, richness of flora and fauna. Here you can see unique caves, clear lakes, canyons and rivers. The park provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities.
Grand Central or Grand Central Station of New York is not only a historical monument, but also one of the oldest buildings in the city Big Apple. The total area of the station reaches 19 hectares, among the intricacies of platforms and paths it is easy to get lost. Grand Central Station is located in Manhattan and is famous for its luxurious waiting room with arched windows and columns.
One of the museums located on the Fifth Avenue Museum Mile, described above. It is a collection of works by masters of modern culture and art. The Solomon Guggenheim Museum was established in 1937 and is distinguished by a unique layout of the premises - it is proposed to start viewing the collection from the top floor, gradually descending along a spiral ramp.
It is in this corner of Los Angeles that about 10 million tourists come every year to see the handprints of Hollywood stars left right on the sidewalk. On the Walk of Fame today there are stars of almost 2.5 thousand celebrities, the collection has been replenished since 1960. A star on the Walk of Fame is a recognition of the outstanding achievements of an individual, her contribution to American culture.
This official residence of the American leader needs no introduction. Thanks to this snow-white building, White House there is in almost every country, becoming synonymous with power. The six-story mansion was built in the refined and austere Palladian style in 1800, so that of all US presidents, only George Washington did not have time to live in the White House.
The name of this building in Greek simply means "pentagon" and fully corresponds to all the features of architecture. No one says "US Department of Defense building" anymore - just the Pentagon - and everything becomes clear. This remarkable, largest office building on the planet is located in the state of Virginia. Interestingly, the lawn in front of the entrance to the Pentagon is also pentagonal.
One of the darkest prisons in the world, located on an island in San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz is often referred to simply as "The Rock" and is said to have been incredibly difficult to escape. Today this place, shown in films, programs and described in literature, attracts tourists. dark history and perfectly preserved atmosphere of a real casemate.
The largest, coldest, most sparsely populated state in the US. People come here to see the untouched nature of the north, try themselves as a gold digger, visit museums and other attractions. The must-see list includes national park Denali, home to Mount McKinley and the Museum of the North.
Who has not heard of Miami Beach, probably the most famous resort on the planet! It is located in the state of Florida, in the suburbs of Grand Miami. Biscayne Bay separates this resort from the city itself. We note right away that Miami Beach is a resort for the rich, its second name is “the island of billionaires”. The apartments here are very expensive, but the beaches are gorgeous and the water is clean.
This is not just a road - it is a park highway, which is under protection. Blue Ridge is known for its wonderful views, which can be admired all the way - 755 kilometers. The road runs along the Blue Ridge (part of the Appalachian mountain range). There are parking lots and campsites along the way so travelers can stop and enjoy the scenic views.
Remember those snow-white letters HOLLYWOOD, which look especially bright against the backdrop of the green slopes of Mount Lee? Of course, remember! This is one of the most recognizable signs in the world, a symbol of the Dream Factory, the entire state of California and even the United States itself. The sign was installed in 1923 and has become a real brand.
Yesterday, July 4, the United States celebrated Independence Day, a national holiday dedicated to the birthday of a relatively young but powerful state. As in many other states, significant milestones, people and events in the history of the United States were marked by the installation of a number of monuments, memorials and memorial complexes. Some of them reflected the triumph of the States as a country and its people, some were not ashamed to become an eternal reminder of the black pages of history.
And although most of them are beautiful in themselves, nevertheless, a number of these monumental structures have repeatedly faced criticism from the guardians of ethics and morality. This selection contains both world-famous monuments and memorials that have become symbols of the United States, as well as those less familiar to the world, and even the American public.
Monument on Bunker Hill, Boston
Here the first battles of the Revolutionary War against the British took place. And although the latter technically won the battle, the colonists already then, having inflicted huge losses on the imperial army, proved their determination to fight for independence. The Marquis de Lafayette laid the cornerstone here to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1825, and a massive granite obelisk appeared on the site in 1842.
Statue of Liberty, New York
Lady Liberty is one of America's most iconic landmarks, literally a symbol of the country standing guard in New York Harbor. The copper statue was designed by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel as a symbol of friendship between the United States, France and democracy.
After opening in 1886, the Statue of Liberty became an unofficial symbol of the French emigration living in New York.
standing soldiers
Not one statue, but a series of over 2,000 statues erected at the end of the 19th century. These are monuments civil war, which caused great damage to the States, both in the North and in the South. All monuments are almost identical, except for details that indicate that the soldier belongs to the forces of the Union or Confederation. Not so long ago, some of them became the subjects of disputes between representatives of diametrically opposed political and social movements.
Robert Gould Show and 54th Memorial, Boston
It is a memorial to the days when Abraham Lincoln issued a special order allowing African American volunteers to volunteer for the Union Army. Hundreds of such volunteers signed up for volunteer service with the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. Although the Colonel was initially reluctant to lead African American soldiers, he soon learned to respect them. Robert Gould Shaw died with nearly 200 of his men at the Battle of Fort Wagner in South Carolina.
The memorial was designed by the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who took 14 years to complete the project, opening it in 1897.
Lincoln Memorial, Washington
Built in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial was part of an expansion of the National Mall complex. The complex is opposite the former home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, with a river flowing between them. A bridge was built between the National Mall and the Lee House, which symbolized the unification of the North and the South.
Rushmore, Keyston, South Dakota
When the initiator of the creation of the monument in the mountain, South Dakota historian Doane Robinson, turned to the sculptor Gutzon Borglum to create a project, he proposed options that consisted of images of four presidents. This caused a heated discussion in society, since there were a large number of people who disagreed with this idea and questioned the identity of the presidents themselves. A special protest was expressed by the local tribes of Native Americans, who considered the sculpture a desecration of their lands. Funds needed to build the monument ran out in 1941 and it has stood unfinished ever since.
Gateway West, St. Louis, MO
The West Gate Arch was designed by Eero Saarinen as a memorial to Thomas Jefferson and his ideas for westward expansion.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington
Vietnam veteran Ian Scruggs spent eight million dollars on this memorial, announcing a competition for the best design among young architects. As a result, the memorial complex was designed by the then unknown Maya Lin. The work was completed in 1982 and contains the names of some 58,000 soldiers who died during the Vietnam War.
AIDS Memorial Quilt
When the AIDS epidemic swept through San Francisco in the 1980s, activist Cleve Jones lost dozens of his friends. This shocked Jones so much that he initiated the creation of a memorial to those who died from AIDS. The result was a symbolic quilt of panels with the names and diagrams of the houses of the dead. The quilt was first shown on the National Mall in Washington in 1987, and since then nearly 50,000 panels have traveled the world.
Oklahoma City National Memorial, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
In 1995, a terrorist bombed the Oklahoma City federal building, killing 168 people, including 19 children. It was the largest terrorist attack in America prior to 9/11.
The memorial includes a row of empty chairs - one for each victim - and the survivors' names are inscribed on the remains of the building's damaged wall. The monument was opened in 2000.