Popular historical landmarks across America tell many compelling tales, from Civil War battle sites to home of prominent civil rights leaders – making these landmarks must-visit destinations for history enthusiasts.
See where George Washington led his Continental Army at Lexington Green and North Bridge in Concord. Or explore Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s home at M’Clintock House.
Washington Monument
George Washington remains one of our nation’s founding fathers to whom we owe great esteem, and his significant contributions are honored in our capital city by way of the Washington Monument, an iconic landmark to which visitors may ascend and explore its interior exhibits such as structural elements and memorial tribute stones, or marvel at its breathtaking sweeping views from above.
Site Selection The monument’s location suited its creators perfectly: Pierre L’Enfant’s geometric layout of the city allowed for space for a memorial to President James Madison at a point where lines emanated south from White House and west from Capitol. On July 4, 1848, its 24-500 pound cornerstone was laid – witnesses grabbed lengths of rope in order to help move its weighty block through streets of Philadelphia.
The monument’s designers intended for it to combine strength and beauty in equal measures, serving as a source of pride to American citizens while inspiring admiration from around the globe. Read on to uncover its many secrets, quirks and forgotten histories!
Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo was established by the Northern Tiwa tribe in the 1200s, making it both a National Historic Landmark and World Heritage Site. Comprising multistoried adobe houses with multistoried interiors, ceremonial kivas and the remains of San Geronimo mission, its architecture blends American Indian with European cultures seamlessly.
Customs vary significantly by community. Catholicism plays a large part in family, birth and death rituals that influence relationships within extended families as well as marriage arrangements; divorce is rare with disputes usually being handled within the pueblo before heading off to state court for resolution.
The pueblo’s governing bodies include the Governor, War Chief and Tribal Council. Individual rooms are owned by tribal families while collective management oversees all adobe walls and structures within its boundaries. Periodic replastering ensures authenticity in terms of location, setting, form and design materials use spirit.
Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site
Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site stands as one of America’s premier historic sites, commemorating both his life and death as a civil rights leader. It includes his birthplace home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, as well as their final resting places – home, gravesite, and tombsite of his wife Coretta Scott King (Dr.).
The park also includes the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, with bronze and granite footsteps honoring movement leaders from throughout history. You can visit Prince Hall Masonic Temple – initially established by Martin Luther King to be home of Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) when he co-founded it in 1957 – to witness its legacy today.
Public lands offer many obvious benefits for all to enjoy, yet when coupled with historical significance they become even more meaningful. The above historic sites serve as outdoor classrooms and memorials to all those who have worked to ensure freedom, equality, and justice in America.
Ellis Island
Ellis Island served over 12 million immigrants during its time as an immigration station, becoming a national monument and museum in 1975. Today visitors can explore its stunningly restored buildings while reading about all those who passed through its doors.
Prior to becoming an immigration center, Ellis Island served multiple uses. One was military; during the War of 1812, government troops used it as a means of storing ammunition on Ellis. New York State originally purchased it before selling it back to federal authorities for storage purposes.
Immigration to the US started to increase dramatically during the 1800s due to political unrest, religious persecution and economic hardship in Europe. By 1924, restrictions were put into place requiring immigrants to complete paperwork prior to arriving in America; Ellis Island eventually fell out of use before it was utilized as a World War II detention center in November 1954.
Ford Theatre
Ford’s Theatre holds an important place in American history as the place where John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.
Booth crept into the President’s Box and shot Lincoln during a point in the play which would get the audience laughing. Following this event, doctors transported Lincoln across to Petersen House where he died the following morning.
Ford’s Theatre offers visitors a lively performance experience or they can visit its museum that recounts the assassination and its aftermath, with Booth’s gun displayed here and other exhibits showing Revolutionary War weapons as well as diaries that shed light on America’s rich past.
