There are many monuments throughout America that can educate tourists about American history.
National historical monuments are government maintained sites and locations that the public can enjoy while also learning about American history. There are monuments in every state, according to the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Historical monuments include specific buildings as well as maritime locations that also have cultural importance.
Independence Hall
In Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell is housed across the street from Independence Hall.
Located in Philadelphia, Independence Hall was where the Declaration of Independence was signed and where the United States Constitution was born. The Liberty Bell once hung from the Hall's tower. Inscribed with the words "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof", the bell is, as of 2011, housed across the street from Independence Hall in the Liberty Bell Center that sits near the Constitution Center, which educates visitors about the constitution and how people become citizens. Also surrounding Independence Hall is the Old City Hall where the Supreme Court met from 1791 to 1800 and Congress Hall that operated as the U.S. Capitol Building from 1790 to 1800.
USS Arizona
The USS Arizona is one of several WWII ships registered as National Historical Monuments.
In Hawaii, there is the Pacific National Monument that is home to such historical sites as the USS Arizona. The USS Arizona Memorial site is built over the resting place of 1,177 crew members who died when the ship was bombed and sunk on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor. Located on Ford Island, the USS Arizona Memorial is also near other memorial sites dedicated to other ships such as the USS Oklahoma and the USS Utah, all of which are located on Ford Island. It is important to remember that there is a dress code for visiting these sites. Bare feet and swimming attire are not allowed, and a certain decorum is expected as these are hallowed grounds. The bodies of the sailors within the hull of the USS Arizona were never recovered.
The White House
The White House was built between 1792 and 1800.
Washington D.C. has a variety of monuments and landmarks. One of the most iconic is the White House. After it was built between 1792 and 1800, John Adams was the first president to reside there. Visitors can tour such rooms as the Blue Room where, according to the White House website, the first family typically greets guests. The East Room is known for having once been the laundry room when Abigail Adams was the first lady, while James Madison later used it as the meeting site for the Cabinet. Tourists must first contact their congress member to schedule visits.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is a National Historical Monument that connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Twentieth-century comedian Will Rogers said, "I would rather be the man who bought the Brooklyn Bridge than the man who sold it." When it was constructed between the years 1869 and 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. It became a National Historical Landmark in 1964. The bridge's architectural features are Gothic arches and masonry towers. Stretching over New York City's East River, it connects the boroughs of Manhattan with Brooklyn and is known for being pedestrian-friendly with lanes for joggers and cyclists. Colorful moments in the bridge's history include one in 1884 when circus entrepreneur, P.T. Barnum, led 21 elephants across the bridge after rumors that it wasn't stable, according to the website NYC Roads.
Tags: Independence Hall, White House, Brooklyn Bridge, Liberty Bell, National Historical, 1792 1800