United States Monuments

There are national monuments located all over the United States. They are visited by thousands of people each year and are a favorite tourist spot for those wanting to experience some of our most famous landmarks.

In Washington, D.C., there are several national monuments. The Washington Monument stands just under 560 feet and was designed to resemble an obelisk. It was built to honor our first president, George Washington. This national treasure attracts 800,000 visitors a year. Also located in Washington D.C. is the Lincoln Memorial. Honoring Abraham Lincoln, this monument was constructed to resemble a Greek temple with 36 columns. While in our nations capital, one can also visit the Jefferson Memorial.

Located in the state of South Dakota is Mount Rushmore. This granite sculpture was created by Gutzon Borglum. This is an enormous sculpture of the heads of four of our most famous presidents. They are George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt. It was started in 1927 and wasn't completed until 1941. This monument attracts 2 million visitors annually.

Probably our most famous national monument is the Statue of Liberty. It's located on Ellis Island, a 12 acre tract of land in New York City's harbor. It was a gift from France and dedicated October 28, 1886. It was declared a national monument in 1924 and a complete restoration was done to get her ready for the centennial celebration on July 4, 1976.

There are so many wonderful national monuments located in various parts of the United States. When visiting them, one is able to experience a part of our history and know they are being preserved for generations to come.