Page 86 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

84  W ASHINGT ON , DC AREA B Y AREA

The World War II Memorial looking east towards the Washington Monument
u Tidal Basin the wall is the inscription: “Here consideration be given to
We Mark the Price of Freedom.” preserving the vista. Work
Boathouse: 1501 Maine Ave, SW.
Map 2 F5 & 3 A5. q Smithsonian. Millions more ordinary citizens finally began in 2001.
Paddle-boats: Tel (202) 479-2426. contributed in some way to the Design and construction was
Open Mar–Oct: 10am–6pm. 7 war effort. The World War II awarded to Leo A. Daly’s firm,
∑ tidalbasinpaddleboats.com Memorial on the National Mall and the design architect was
honors their service and sacrifice. Friedrich St. Florian (former dean
The Tidal Basin was built in 1897 The establishment of the of Rhode Island School of Design).
to catch the overflow from the memorial was not without Two 43 ft (13 m) pavilions
Potomac River and prevent controversy. After a bill was either side of the Rainbow Pool
flooding. In 1912, hundreds first introduced in 1987, it took mark the north and south
of cherry trees, given by the a further six years before the entrances, and represent the
Japanese government, were legislation made its way through Atlantic and Pacific theaters of
planted along the shores of Congress. President Clinton war. Fifty-six granite pillars, one
the man-made lake. During the signed the bill into law in 1993 for each of the country’s states
two weeks when the cherry and then there followed a great and territories during that time,
trees bloom (mid-March–mid- debate over location. The are adorned with bronze wreaths
April) chaos reigns around the Rainbow Pool site was chosen in of oak leaves and wheat, which
Tidal Basin. The area is filled with October 1995 with the condition symbolize the nation’s agricul-
cars and busloads of people that the east-west vista from the tural and industrial strength.
photographing the sight. The Washington Monument to the Bas-relief panels created by
only way to avoid this gridlock Lincoln Memorial be preserved. sculptor Ray Kaskey line both
is to see the blossoms at dawn. Further delays followed because sides of the 17th St entrance.
The Tidal Basin reverts to a the Commission of Fine Arts They depict the many contri-
relatively quiet park after the criticized the scale of the initial butions Americans made to the
blossoms have fallen. Paddle- plans and asked that further war effort: from enlistment and
boats can be rented from the embarkation to the Normandy
boathouse on Maine Avenue. landings, from Rosie the Riveter
(symbolising the war efforts
made by American Women)
i World War to medics in the field.
II Memorial Words spoken by presidents
and generals are inscribed
17th St, NW, between Constitution throughout the memorial,
Ave & Independence Ave. Map 2 F5. including these by General
Tel (202) 426-6841. q Smithsonian
or Federal Triangle. Open 24 hours Douglas MacArthur marking
daily. Closed Dec 25. 7 the war’s end: “Today the guns
∑ nps.gov/nwwm The online are silent…The skies no longer
Registry of Remembrances: rain death – the seas bear only
∑ wwiimemorial.com commerce – men everywhere
walk upright in the sunlight. The
Sixteen million Americans served entire world is quietly at peace.”
in World War II, and of them, The memorial was officially
400,000 died. The 4,000 gold opened in April 2004. On May
stars, the “Field of Stars,” on the 29, some 150,000 people, many
Freedom Wall commemorate The Freedom Wall lined with 4,000 stars of them veterans, joined in the
these war dead, and in front of commemorating the US war dead dedication ceremony.

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