Washington DC
Last week, I went to Washington DC with my school, as it is a trip they offer to every 8th grader. While the trip was only 4 days, I learned a significant amount of information, and here are a few of the most interesting monuments I encountered.
The United States Capitol-
While the Capitol is known for having senators, and the House of Representatives meets to discuss laws, there is also an extensive amount of history about the building itself. There are approximately 600 rooms. Many would think that in the nation’s capital, every room would be named after an important person, but in this case, not all rooms are named after someone. This is because there are numerous rooms, they also name rooms based on their function, and lastly, they name the special rooms to honor past people who served in the government. Some of the famous rooms in the Capitol are the Rotunda, the Old Supreme Court, and many more. The Rotunda is the central, domed, circular room that acts as the center or heart of the Capitol. Its artwork was completed by several people over time because artists came and painted a part of it and then left, so the people working at the Capitol during that time had to keep acquiring other professional artists to finish the artwork. Now, let’s move on to the Old Supreme Court. The “Old Supreme Court” refers to the Old Supreme Court Chamber located in the North Wing of the U.S. Capitol that housed the nation’s highest court from 1810 to 1860. It was designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. He defined the chamber by its dramatic ceilings and iconic columns, creating an atmosphere of gravity. During its half-century of use, this room served as the backdrop for many landmark cases that shaped American law. While the Court eventually moved to a larger room across the hall and then to its own dedicated building in 1935, the Old Chamber remains a preserved piece of architectural history, reflecting the era when the judicial branch was still defining its role.
Arlington National Cemetery-
Arlington National Cemetery is situated on 639 acres of land in Arlington, Virginia, and serves as the premier military burial ground in the United States. It was established during the Civil War in 1864 on land formerly owned by Mary Anna Custis Lee, the wife of General Robert E. Lee. The cemetery was created as a necessity when burial space in Washington, D.C., became limited and it was at capacity. Today, it serves as the final resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans, and their families, representing every major conflict in American history. Another notable landmark within the grounds is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded 24/7, and visitors observe a changing of the guard ceremony every 30 minutes while present at the memorial. There is also the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy, marked by an eternal flame.
Smithsonian Museum-
The Air and Space Museum is one of the thrilling museums I’ve seen in my life so far because of all of the special exhibits. What truly surprised me about the Wright brothers’ exhibit was the aircraft design because of its simplicity. Instead of relying on complex mechanisms, they utilized a biplane configuration, with two wings stacked one above the other, providing stability. I had always envisioned the first airplane as a highly complex machine filled with advanced technology, but seeing the actual plane made me appreciate how creativity and fundamental principles often drive innovation. Witnessing the craftsmanship of the Flyer, with its delicate fabric and intricately designed wooden frame, allowed me to view their achievement in a way no textbook could convey, revealing that advancements can arise from basic ideas executed with determination.
Overall, I thought that the trip helped me learn about most of the memorials, monuments, and museums. In addition, it gave me more insight into the history of Washington DC.