Check out the Monuments while in Washington DC for the Citi Open!

While in Washington DC for the Citi Open, you MUST take a tour of the monuments! Before hitting the grounds for some tennis, I did a little exploring. Come along with me on this episode of TALK TENNIS to the Washington Monument, The World War II Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial, The White House, and The Pentagon!

THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT

One of the nations most recognizable structures – built to honor George Washington, the commander in chief of the continental army, and the first president of the united states. The Washington monument was once the tallest building in the world at just over 555 feet, but does still hold the title for tallest stone structure in the world.

THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

The National World War II Memorial honors the 16 million people who served as part of the American armed forces during World War II, including more than 400,000 who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Symbols of America’s triumph in the Second World War are artfully displayed all over the World War II Memorial, which also has a charming fountain at its center. 56 granite columns symbolize unity among the 48 states, seven federal territories and the District of Columbia. The columns form a semi-circle around the memorial’s plaza, with two 43-foot tall arches on opposite sides. The northern arch represents victory in the Atlantic, while the southern arch symbolizes victory in the Pacific.

One of the World War II Memorial’s most striking features is the Freedom Wall. 4,048 gold stars pay tribute to American lives lost at war (each star represents 100 Americans), while dozens of battle names and military campaign destinations are also on display. in front of the wall, a stone fittingly reads, “Here we mark the price of freedom.”

THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL

A visitor favorite, the Lincoln memorial serves as a monument to Americas 16th president. A 19 foot statue of Abraham Lincoln sits overlooking the reflecting pool and the Washington monument from his permanent seat on America’s front yard

The Lincoln Memorial has been home to many defining moments in American history including, Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in front of 250,000 attendees.

THE WHITE HOUSE:
While in our nations capital its kind of a must to stop by the white house.

The White House serves many purposes. It is where the President works and lives with his family. It is also the symbol of the United States to the rest of the world. It is where the President officially meets with leaders of foreign nations and hosts them at state dinners.

THE PENTAGON

The Pentagon — located across the river from Washington, D.C. in Arlington, Virginia — is more than a power center assigned to the defense of the nation. It’s a small city in itself. About 23,000 military and civilian employees work there, spanning 17.5 miles of corridors.

The World War II-era building is the worlds largest office building with about 6,500,000 sq ft

The Pentagon includes a five-acre central plaza, which is shaped like a pentagon and informally known as "ground zero," a nickname originating during the Cold War on the presumption that it would be targeted by the Soviet Union at the outbreak of nuclear war.

It was on September 11, 2001 though, exactly 60 years after the building's construction began, that American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked and flown into the western side of the building, killing 189 people.

Visitors can view the September 11 crash site and memorial; the Hall of Heroes, which lists all recipients of the Medal of Honor; and a display on the role of Native Americans in the U.S. military. Three sections of the dismantled Berlin Wall are also on view.

 There are plenty more monuments beyond these 5 that we stopped at before the Citi Open! You could stay busy for days just touring the monuments!