Where History Happens

Experience the Nation's Ca pita' few destinations possess the power of place conveyed by the 'ation al M all and Memorial Pa rks. From the steps of the U.S. Capitol to the Reflecting Pool of West Po tomac Park, visitors sense the enduring legacy of presidents and celebrate the nation's assurance of freedom and equality. Car ed for by the National Park Service, the remarkable m emorials and sweeping landscapes of the nation's capital refl ect the soul of our national identity and serve as the symbolic heart of the nation. ington Monu- mentwas built in honor of George Washington, who March 4, 1933 Background: Aerial view of U.S. Capitol and National Mall. I 011r score and St!l'e11 years ago 011r /£11/zers bro11glztforth, on 1/11~ continent, a new nation, coJ1ceil1ed in Liberty, and dulu.:ated to tlze proposition tlwt all 111e11 are created equal. The White House has serveti as home for the nation's first families and as the office and residence of U.S. presidents since it was first occupied by John and Abigai l Adams in 1800. Over time the White House has been the site of many family gatherings, including birthday parties, holiday dinners, and Easter Egg Rolls. The president's family shared the second floor of the White House with the president's The Lincoln Memorial stands as an enduring symbol of freedom and a tribute to the 16th president of the Unit ed States- the Great Emancipator and preserver of the nation during t he Civil War. For decades the Lincoln Memorial has been an inspirationa l place for important speeches, concerts, and national celebrations such as the Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birthday on February 12, 2009. This commemorative ribbon was made for Abraham Lincoln's Centennial birthday celebration on February 12, 1909. Th - FrankJin D. Roosevelt First Inaugural Address, A Home with History Abraham Lincoln Gettysburg Address l\ovember 19, 1863 Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes administers the oath of office to Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the east portico of the U.S. Capitol, January 20, 1941 . For the trust reposed in me I will return t/Je courage and the devotion that befit the time. I can do no less. Legacy of Liberty led the country to independence and took his oath of office as first U.S. president on April 30, 1789. The Monument was completed on December 6, 1884. fl 1 naff unt il President Theo dore Roosevelt ordered the construct ion of a tempor.iry building. The new structure allowed more space for the president and his aides .is well as the six growing and lively Roosevelt children. Today that building is called the West W ing. In 1901 Theodore Roosevelt officially named the hist oric home the White House, now a symbol of democracy recognized worldwide. f!lllllf ... I pray Hem1en to bestow tile best of Blessings on this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May 11011e but '1011est and wise J\'1en ever rule under tlzis roof John Adams President'!. I Iou~c 1'.ovcmbcr 2, 1800 It is not what we have that will make us a great nation; it is the way in which we use it. Theodore Roosevelt Dakota Territory Julv4, 1886 Explore the Heart of Our Heritage Exceptional People and Places Administered by the National Park Service, the National Capital Region Parks include much more than monuments and memorials that celebrate, honor, and demonstrate the nation's commitment to democracy. Extending beyond the ~ational Mall arc additional tributes to our heritage that range from historic homes and peaceful parkways to national scenic trails and national battlefields. Clara Barton National Historic Site Built in 1891, this structure first stored American Red Cross supplies. By 1897 it became the organization's hea'dquarters and the home of its founder, Clara Barton. Although women could not vote at that time, Barton's influence extended to the White House. Her invitation to attend Lincoln's 1865 inaugura l bal l is displayed at the site. , ,,,•.. ,,.,,..,., •..• " Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Th is late 19th-century home preserves the legacy of the nation's leading African American spokesperson. Known as the father of the civil rights movement, Frederick Douglass helped shape the nation as an abolitionist, publisher, and social reformer. Douglass also served as an advisor to presidents, including Abraham Lincoln. ..... Mary Mcleod Bethune Council House This 1870s home was the first headquarters of the National Counc.i l of Negro Women, foLmdcd by Bethune. From here, Bethune and the Council developed strategies and programs that advanced African American women and the Black community. Bethune influenced Roosevelt's New Deal Government from 1936 to 1945. TA <, ' . " 0 Catoctin Mountain Par1< Antie m National Battll ield 0 © Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP Monocacy National Battlefield Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Monocacy NB Discoveries in Every Direction Additional nationa l parks throughout the area offer opportunities to experience t he nat ion's heritage. Visit www.nps.gov for directions, podcasts, and more information . Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Harpers Ferry NHP Appa lachian National Scenic Trail Catoctin Mountain Park Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Ford's Theatre National Historic Site George Washington Memorial Parkway •Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial • Clara Barton National Historic Site 15 • Glen Echo Park • Great Falls Park Manassas ~. tional Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Battlef Id Park Manassas National Battlefield Park Monocacy National Battlefield National Capital Parks - East • Anacostia Park 0 • Fort Washington Park • Frederick Douglass National Historic Site • Keni lworth Park and Aquatic Gardens • Greenbelt Park • Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hi ll Farm • Piscataway Park Printe William •Sewa ll-Belmont House National Historic Site Forest Park Nationa l Mall and Memorial Parks Potomac Heritage Nationa l Scenic Trail President's Park (White House) Prince William Forest Park Rock Creek Park Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts Baltimore-Washington Parkway 0 Greenbelt Park Suitland Parkway } b;xe Marsh ~ Wildlife Preserve .. 9axon Cove Park Fort Washington Park Piscataway Park Record your national park visits here with passport cancellation stamps that name each site and the date of your visit. Recording your visits to different NPS sites will help you recall the many memories you have made and the destinations you discovered. The National Park Service Passport is produced by Eastern National.