Page 28 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

26  INTRODUCING W ASHINGT ON , DC

After the US entered World War II in
December 1941, Washington’s population
soared. Women from all across the country
arrived in the capital, eager to take on
government jobs while the men were
overseas. They faced housing shortages, and
long lines as they waited to use rationing
coupons for food and services. The city also
offered a respite for soldiers on leave. Actress
Helen Hayes, a native Washingtonian,
opened the Stage Door Canteen where Soldiers on patrol after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr.
celebri ties provided food and entertainment.
Anderson sang again and Reverend Martin
The Civil Rights Movement Luther King, Jr. shared his dream in words
In 1953 the Supreme Court’s ruling in the that would echo for generations (see p99).
Thompson Restaurant case made it illegal In November 1963, the nation was stunned
for public places to discriminate against by the assassination of President John F.
black people. With the passage of other Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. An eternal flame
anti-discrimination laws, life in Washington was lit at his funeral in Arlington Cemetery
began to change. In 1954, the recreation by his widow, Jacqueline. Five years later,
department ended its public segregation. on April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King was
In the same year, on May 17, the Supreme shot. Killed at the age of 39, he is revered
Court ruled that “separate educational as a hero and a martyr.
facilities are inherently unequal.” The opening of the Kennedy Center for
On August 28, 1963, more than 200,000 Performing Arts (The Kennedy Center) in
people arrived in the capital for the “March 1971 indicated the growing international
on Washington” to support civil rights. From character of this city. Several art museums
the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Marian with impressive collections (the East Wing
of the National Gallery of Art, the Hirshhorn,
and the vast Smithsonian American Art
Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery)
also opened to enrich the city’s cultural life.
The construction of the Metro helped alle-
viate traffic problems. The embassies, the
foreign banking community (the World Bank,
the International Monetary Fund, and the
Inter-American Development Bank), and
the increasing number of immigrants,
John F. Kennedy, Jr. salutes his father’s casket
at Arlington Cemetery in 1963 provided a cosmopolitan flavor.
1940 First plane lands at National Airport 1973 Washingtonians gain the right to elect a mayor
1976 Metro
1945 The first atomic bomb 1963 Martin Luther 1969 250,000 opens. National
is dropped on Hiroshima, King gives “I Have a anti-Vietnam War Air and Space
ending World War II Dream” speech protesters march Museum opens
1940 1950 1960 1970 1980
1978 Marion
1941 The National Gallery of 1964 Washington 1974 President Richard
Art opens. After Japan attacks residents vote in a Nixon resigns following Barry elected
Pearl Harbor, the US enters presidential election criminal investigation mayor for the
World War II for the first time first of four terms
1982 Dedication of the Vietnam Veterans
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68)
Memorial, designed by Maya Ying Lin

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