Category Archives: D.C.

Photojournalist Don Bartletti's 2003 Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph, Chiapas Racers, displayed in the Newseum

How would you like to see the Berlin Wall, a guard tower located next to Checkpoint Charlie, a thank-you letter written by Saddam Hussein, four decades of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs, an antenna damaged in the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center, and newspapers headlining the sinking of the Titanic in 1912?

What if I told you that not only could you see them, but you could see them all in the same building?

You’ll see all this and more when you visit Washington, D.C.’s Newseum, a seven-level museum dedicated to telling the story of the news over the past five centuries. Interactive and informative exhibits chronicle the evolution of the media and highlight its role in reporting and recording history. This impressive collection of artifacts, articles, and archives is a living tribute to America’s First Amendment (that guaranteeing the right to freedom of speech, press, and religion, among others).

The only problem with this museum is there is so much to see and it’s all worth seeing! So, we’ve compiled this mini-guide to help you spend your time at the Newseum wisely.

How much time should I plan to spend there?
The Newseum offers a pamphlet that suggests a timed itinerary for seeing the entire museum. It has you spending 15 minutes here, 10 minutes there, and so on. I followed this 2-hour itinerary pretty closely, and I just felt too rushed. There were places where I just wanted to read every plaque. Other exhibits, I was content to breeze through. You just don’t know what will grab you, so you should allow for extra time. I suggest 3 hours. There is a cafe where you can refuel if you find yourself waning during such a long time at one museum.

Visitors to the Newseum can view eight original slabs from the Berlin Wall. This side shows the West German side; the other side -- the East German side -- is blank.

Where should I start?
Start on the Lower Level. You’ll be ushered into a screening room to view a 5-10 minute film on the Newseum to help you get oriented. After that, you’ll step out right into the Berlin Wall exhibit, which was absolutely my favorite part of the entire museum. From there, just work your way up to the top, and eventually, out onto the balcony!

What should I see?
You should stop by every exhibit, if possible. That’s not usually a recommendation I make for museums. But, if you’re crunched for time (as we usually are!), make sure you at least see …

Berlin Wall Gallery (Level C - Lower Level)

The exhibit displays eight original concrete slabs from the Berlin Wall, which fell in 1989. The West German side is covered with graffiti, while the back, the East German side, is completely blank. Residents could not get anywhere near the wall undetected, due to the large three-story guard towers. This gallery tells the story of how news and information played a large role in the toppling of the East German government and the unification of Germany.

The Pulitzer Prize Photo Gallery (Level 1)

These images are compelling beyond words. This gallery features decades of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs and details the experiences of the photographers who captured these influential images.

The Time Warner World News Gallery (Level 3)

This exhibit documents freedom of the press worldwide, featuring an exhibit on the 1990s war in the Balkans, as well as a color-coded world map detailing the level of freedom of the press across the globe. It also updates regularly its “World Hot Spots” as certain regions move in and out of the media headlines.

The September 11th Gallery (Level 4)

One of the more moving tributes to 9/11 that I have seen. The exhibit features an antenna from one of the twin towers, as well as headlines from around the world detailing the horror of that day. It pays tribute to the journalists who risked their lives, and some who gave their lives, to cover the events of that day.

News Corporation News History Gallery (Level 5)

The Civil War, the sinking of the Titantic, Dewey defeats Truman, President Kennedy’s assassination, and man’s walk on the moon are just a few of the thousands of headlines you will see in this exhibit. This gallery is a testimony not just to the events throughout history, but also to those who have told the story. Newspapers are arranged chronologically. You won’t possibly be able to read through all of the headlines, but allow yourself at least a half an hour in this gallery.

Hank Greenspun Terrace on Pennsylvania Avenue (Level 6)

Conclude your visit to the Newseum with a stroll on the Terrace overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue, with great views of the Capitol Building to the left and the Washington Monument to the right. As you walk onto the terrace, you’ll also pass the display of “Today’s Headlines” from around the globe. See if you can find your local paper!

Anything else I should know?
The Newseum is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily. It is located at 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

Unfortunately, this is not one of Washington’s many free museums, but it is worth the price of admission. The cost of admission is $21.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors, and $12.95 for children. Kids under 6 enter for free.

Why I definitely recommend a visit
The Newseum offers you a glimpse into some of the most memorable events in history — events that truly changed the world, for good and for bad — through the eyes of the people who are actually telling the story.

I’m certainly not arguing that the media always gets it right. In fact, sometimes, it could be argued, they may even make the situation worse, sensationalizing events or leaving out key facts that tell the whole story. I don’t believe the Newseum makes the case that the news is always right; rather, it builds a case for the importance of the news being an actual right. I have to admit, freedom of the press in America is a right I often take for granted.

I generally tend to be pretty critical of the media. But through this visit, I came to develop a better appreciation for the news media, though I certainly still have reservations about the fact that they are framing the event or issue for me, choosing the context in which to portray the event. But, if they didn’t get out there and report what was happening (even if it is through their eyes, their own perspective), then how would I ever know what is going on in the world?

The next time you’re in Washington, D.C., be sure to schedule some time to visit the Newseum. You’ll never view your evening news or your local paper the same way again!

Have you visited the Newseum? What are your reflections and recommendations?

Last week, we posted Part One of our top ten recommendations of Washington, D.C.’s best monuments and memorials to help you better plan and prepare for your trip to America’s capital. The memorials are one of the highlights of any visit to Washington, D.C., but because there are so many, if you don’t plan your trip carefully, you could miss out.

Here are the rest of our recommendations!

5.) Korean War Veterans Memorial

If the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one of the most moving, the Korean War Veterans Memorial is perhaps the most haunting. With its guiding inscription “Freedom is not free” and field of nineteen stainless steel statues representing soldiers during the war, this memorial is quite sobering. The faces on the soldiers depict the horror, trauma, pain, discomfort, and confusion of those engulfed in the horrors of war. These faces are so detailed, they cause you to both connect and reflect on the reality of war. The granite slabs and sporadic trees are meant to emphasize the difficult terrain in which the men had to fight, while the rain coats show the challenging weather conditions prevalent throughout the war. I always leave this memorial feeling weighed down by the human cost of war.

4.) Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

This memorial was just opened in Fall 2011 and commemorates the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. All I can say is, it’s about time America. For more information on this memorial, please see Monday’s post.

3.) Jefferson Memorial

It may have taken me a good twenty years to finally make it over to the Jefferson Memorial, but it was certainly worth the wait. Modeled in the style of Rome’s Pantheon, this memorial sits across the Tidal Basin along the Potomac River. This neoclassical style was originally introduced in America by Thomas Jefferson himself. The design architect John Russell Pope attempted to commemorate Jefferson’s role as a statesman, architect, President, and drafter of the Declaration of Independence, among other roles. Inside the structure stands a 19-foot-tall bronze statue of Jefferson. Along the interior walls of the memorial are five quotes from Jefferson that represent his life and political ideals. Before you leave the memorial, take twenty minutes to visit the small museum below.

2.) FDR Memorial

Nestled along the Tidal Basin between the new MLK, Jr. Memorial and the majestic Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial is more expansive than others, but perhaps that’s fitting for America’s longest-serving president. Roosevelt served 12 years in office and was elected for four terms. The memorial is organized into four separate “rooms,” one for each of the four terms Roosevelt was elected. The rooms focus around a particular social issue or major world event happening during that particular term.The main themes include the Great Depression and World War II, two events that defined Roosevelt’s presidency.

The memorial includes waterfalls, statues, and quotes enscribed into red granite walls, each symbolizing a particular aspect of Roosevelt’s presidency or his character. My favorite part of the memorial is the urban breadline, a statue depicting a line of men waiting for food assistance during the Great Depression. Another key statue is of a man next to a radio listening intently to one of Roosevelt’s famous “fireside chats.” Five bronze pillars also depict the social issues addressed through Roosevelt’s famous “New Deal” to lift the nation out of the Great Depression.

Start your visit from Room One, near the Visitor’s Center, and closest to the MLK Memorial, rather than the Jefferson. This will allow you to experience Roosevelt’s presidency in chronological order. The first stop in the memorial is a statue of Roosevelt in his wheelchair, a reminder that he was stricken with Polio at age 39 and never walked un-aided again. Thus, he spent his entire presidency confined to a wheelchair, a fact that is easily overlooked, as Roosevelt himself went to great efforts to hide it.

At the end of the memorial, you’ll find a statue of Roosevelt with his beloved dog, Falla, and a separate statue of his wife, Eleanor, commemorating her role in both the presidency and her later service as the U.S. United Nations Ambassador.

Allow at least 30 minutes to view the entire memorial.

1.) World War II Memorial

This is probably my favorite of all the monuments, but not so much for its design. Its the most important to me because my grandfather fought in World War II and was injured at Normandy (not on D-Day, but on the third day). He is one of the people honored and remembered through this memorial. The memorial opened in April 2004. The memorial does a great job recognizing the bravery and sacrifice not just of the 16 million men who served in World War II, but also for the women who joined the war efforts on the home front. Over 400,000 Americans lost their lives during the wars in the Pacific and in Europe. One side is dedicated to the war in Europe, the other to the Pacific.

Twenty-four bronze panels depict scenes from the war and the home-front around the memorial. Fifty-six granite columns stand prominently at either end of the memorial symbolize the unity of the forty-eight U.S. states, territories, and District of Columbia. A wall of 4,048 gold stars pays tribute to the over 400,000 servicemen who gave their lives in battle. The Rainbow Pool lies in the middle of the memorial where its triumphant fountains never cease.

Nearly $200 million in private funds were raised to build the memorial. It lies along 17th Street, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, next to the Reflecting Pool.

Each time I have visited the memorial, I have seen families there with loved ones who are veterans of World War II — some of the relatively few still living. In America, we call the World War II generation “the greatest generation.” I’d have to agree, and it’s great to see them permanently honored in our nation’s capital. I only wish my own grandfather had lived to see it.

How to make it happen

To visit each of these monuments (with the exception of Iwo Jima), start at the back of U.S. Capitol building (that’s the pretty side, in case you’re confused) and head down the National Mall following the towering Washington Monument in the sky. You’ll come first to the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial before making your way down and then around, ending at the Jefferson Memorial. You can either walk from there to your next destination, or catch a cab right there. They come by every few minutes.

Each of the memorials is free to view and some have small Visitor’s Centers and even offer guided tours throughout the day. The Washington Monument sells tickets to go up inside. If you visit at night, try not to go alone, and stick to well-lighted paths. There are police everywhere, but some of the paths can get a little isolated, particularly around the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

Plan for 2-3 hours to visit the monuments. Keep in mind you will need to walk the entire length of the mall if you view them all at once. During the warmer months, vendors sell refreshments along the way. Not a bad idea to bring some water.

Enjoy your walk! It’s hands-down one of the best in America!

Statue of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt with his beloved dog, Falla, at the FDR Memorial on Washington D.C.'s Tidal Basin

I’ve never hit them all in one go. Not even close.

I’ve had to go back ten times. And I still haven’t seen them all …

More than perhaps any other city in the world, Washington, D.C. is known for paying tribute to its heroes and its fallen through commemorative memorials. For the visitor with limited time, it can be difficult to choose which of Washington, D.C.’s 155 monuments and memorials to see and which to skip.

To help you narrow down your options, we’ve compiled this list of our top ten favorite monuments, in no particular order, that you should be sure to see during your next visit to Washington, D.C.

10.) Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

The 98 steps that extend from the Reflecting Pool to the top of the Lincoln Memorial have seen their fair share of history. Perhaps one of the most famous moments was in 1963, when Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I have a dream” speech from the top of its steps. This memorial pays tribute to the nation’s 16th President, who was assassinated just days before the surrender of Confederate forces ended the four-year Civil War. The Lincoln Memorial lies parallel to the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial, with the Reflecting Pool in between. To either side lie the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. The monument is designed in a classical Greek style and is constructed of Indiana limestone and Colorado Yule marble. Inside sits a statue of the President, with excerpts from his Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address carved into the walls on either side. The memorial, like most of the monuments, is particularly moving when viewed after dark.

9.) Ulysses S. Grant Memorial

Ulysses S. Grant Memorial

You may have actually passed this memorial before and not realized it! This lesser-known memorial overlooks the Capitol Reflecting Pool as it sits nestled behind the majestic Capitol building at the base of Capitol Hill. The statue attempts to show a calm U.S. Grant as he commanded Union troops during the Civil War.

8.) U.S. Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima)

I have not seen this memorial since I was a kid, but it depicts one of the most famous scenes in American history, the U.S. Marines raising the flag over Mt. Suribachi at Iwo Jima during World War II. The view of the National Mall from this memorial also makes it well worth the visit.

7.) Washington Monument

Washington Monument

One of the city’s most recognizable structures, this monument is built to honor the nation’s first president, George Washington. The structure is in the shape of an Egyptian obelisk standing 555′ 5 1/2″ tall. It was finished in December 1884.

6.) Vietnam War Memorial

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

This is definitely one of the most moving memorials in Washington.This memorial includes sculptures depicting the stress and trauma experienced by the soldiers, as well as a 246 ft. long wall displaying the names of all 58,267 Americans who lost their lives during this 10-year war. The names themselves serve as the memorial. They are inscribed in the order in which they lost their lives. Visitors and family members place flags, letters, and photos along the wall to honor the victims.

Check back on Sunday to find out our other five recommendations!

What about you? Have you traveled to Washington, D.C.? If so, what are your favorite monuments?

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial was dedicated on October 16, 2011

“It is right to remind ourselves that such progress did not come easily. . . it came from the smack of billyclubs, and blasts of fire hoses . . . the nights of bomb threats. For every victory in the height of the civil rights movement there were setbacks, there were defeats.”

President Barack Obama spoke these words at the dedication ceremony for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in October 2011, over forty years after Dr. King was assassinated.

Today America pauses to honor the Reverend King, a prominent and tireless leader in the civil rights movement, who had a vision for freedom, justice, equality, and opportunity in America that earned him a Nobel Peace Prize and a revered place in American history.

But for many, he is so much more than someone studied in school; someone memorialized in history. For many, he is an enduring symbol of hope demonstrating the power of peace, love, justice, and perseverance. The tears shed at the memorial’s dedication are the best and most accurate example of Dr. King’s continued influence in America and beyond. Of the thousands gathered to dedicate the memorial, most thought they would never see such a day come. For others, it was more personal: they thought they would never see segregation in America end; they thought they would never be able to drink from the same water fountain as a white person; they thought they would never be considered equal.

And we would be remiss if we did not also pause to recognize that despite the triumphs of the last four decades, there is progress to be made still. And, as in Dr. King’s time, this progress will not come easily either.

When I traveled to Washington, D.C. last month, I was humbled to finally be able to visit a memorial that paid tribute not to just this man, but also to the ideals he embodied and the dreams he imagined. It saddened me to realize that this memorial also symbolized the struggle against injustice waged by millions over the past few centuries. I was reminded that despite many victories, injustice and racism persist.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial is located in West Potomac Park, on the edge of the Tidal Basin across from the Jefferson Memorial. I’m not sure they could have selected a more scenic location.

At the entry to the memorial stand two stone pillars, while another single wedge lies just ahead of them, symbolically and literally separated from what was once one boulder. The symbolism and language used is taken from Dr. King’s famous “I have a dream” speech. The boulder represents the “mountain of despair,” and on one side of the monolith is engraved, “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” Having the Mountain of Despair as the entrance serves as a reminder of the struggle that Dr. King and all African Americans had to (and still do) live through. It forces visitors to move through that symbolic struggle, too, until they reach the “Stone of Hope.”

The entrance to the MLK, Jr. Memorial symbolizes the "Mountain of Despair"

From the front of the “Stone of Hope” emerges Dr. King, as he gazes, arms folded, over the Tidal Basin, looking forward to a future of equality, freedom, and justice.

"Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope"

One of the most moving elements of the memorial is the Inscription Wall, which forms a semi-circle around the memorial on either side of the Mountain of Despair.This element allows the memorial to serve as a reminder of the ideals for which Dr. King stood, not just to honor the man himself. The quotes span from 1955 to 1968, but are not arranged chronologically. None of the quotes are taken from his 1965 “I have a dream” speech because the entire design of the memorial itself deliberately reflects elements of that speech. It’s also important to remember that Dr. King gave hundreds of speeches, with many important messages of justice, hope, equality, and love; it just happens that “I have a dream” is the most well-known. Designers of the memorial felt it was important to communicate King’s message beyond what is most familiar.

Inscription Wall element of MLK, Jr. Memorial

Japanese Yoshino Cherry Trees, which will bloom in spring, surround the entire complex. The trees bloom for two weeks at the beginning of April each year, and are incorporated into the design element to bloom around the time of King’s assassination on April 4th.

MLK, Jr. Memorial as seen across the Tidal Basin

If you’re planning a visit to Washington, D.C. anytime in the near future, plan to make the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial part of your itinerary. As with all the monuments and memorials in Washington, admission is free, and you can even visit after dark (which I highly encourage!). Although there are many memorials to choose from, this one is perhaps most deserving of a visit.

The Washington Monument; Washington, D.C.

The year was 1989. Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up” dominated the airwaves. The Berlin Wall was on its way down. George Herbert Walker Bush had just taken the oath of office as the 41st President of the United States. And I was just an eager first grader at Stockwell Elementary School trying my best to color within the lines when I received the exciting news I would soon be traveling with my mom and grandma to Washington, D.C.

My first real trip! For a kid who could already list all the U.S. presidents in reverse chronological order, the destination could not have been more perfect.

Before leaving, I figured it would be a good idea to let the new President know I was on my way. So I wrote him a letter detailing my favorite sports and school subjects and ended with a request to meet his dog, Millie the Springer Spaniel, when I visited the White House. (I also apologized for voting for Michael Dukakis in my class election.)

How could he possibly say no to a little girl’s request?

Finally, after months of waiting, I received a response back from the President. Much to my chagrin, it was just a magazine that talked about how great it was to visit the White House, which of course he didn’t really need to convince me of since that’s why I wrote in the first place. Strangely, no mention of whether or not I’d be able to meet Millie the dog …

But it didn’t really matter anyway. My love-affair with my nation’s capital had already begun and nothing could dampen my excitement.

For 22 years, since that first trip, Washington, D.C. has been my favorite city in the United States. Some people think I’m crazy; a bit sick, actually. After all, why would I want to spend so much time in a place notorious for its politics and bickering; it’s security threats and metal detectors; and its endless monuments to dead presidents and wars?

Great questions. I have no idea, really. I just love the history. I love that something is always going on and that something always has gone on for two hundred years. I love that we’ve actually decided that it’s important to honor people who have contributed something to this nation. I love that we have a place to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for our country. I love that it is a place that feels important, for decisions made there affect the U.S. and the world, whether for the better or worse.

I love it because it is so unlike any other city in the United States. After all, it has quite the intentional history …

The Marshy Land along the Potomac

Did you know that George Washington, the first U.S. President, never actually lived in the White House? In fact, the nation’s capital was not even Washington, D.C. — it was Philadelphia (though for the first 16 months of his presidency, Washington was based in New York). But this doesn’t mean Washington did not play a large role in the development of the future capital. It was actually Washington who selected the marshy land along the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers to serve as the nation’s capital. He tagged Pierre L’Enfant, a Frenchman who fought for America during the Revolutionary War, to design the layout of the city.

L’Enfant had a vision: a “public walk”, which would stretch between the Capitol Building and the White House, connecting the Legislative and Executive branches with a beautiful public space. Today this beautiful park, the National Mall, stretches for two miles bordered by Smithsonian museums and dotted with monuments and memorials honoring America’s heroes, including George Washington himself.

Although much of this city is modeled after European cities and structures of that day, it remains, nonetheless, distinctly American.

The area now known as Washington, D.C. was authorized by Congress in 1790, it would take a decade to develop it into the capital city. John Adams became the first president to live in the White House in 1800. The location was strategically selected as more-or-less a halfway point between southern and northern states and because its location on the Potomac River provided easier access to westward expansion.

The Capitol building became the focus of the city, and even to this day, there is an ordinance preventing buildings from being built beyond a certain height so as to not overshadow the grandeur of the Capitol.

In 1814, the White House was burned by the British while President James Madision was in office. It was later rebuilt and continues to serve as a symbol of America to the world at its famous address, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Today, Washington, D.C. is home to America’s Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches of government, as well as headquarters for dozens of government agencies. Many people find the government attractions in Washington, D.C. to be reason enough alone to visit (especially if you’re looking for a place to take your 8th grade civics students!).

But fortunately for travelers with broader interests, Washington, D.C. has a wealth of other attractions to keep visitors interested and entertained for days.

This is the first among several articles that will explore the highlights of Washington, D.C. over the next few weeks.

Stay tuned for more on how you, too, can visit America’s capital.