Before Dr. Carter G. Woodson, there was very little accurate written history
about the lives and experiences of Americans of African descent. Today a
National Historic Site, Dr. Woodson’s home served as the headquarters for the
Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Dr. Woodson
established Negro History Week here in 1926, which we celebrate today as Black
History Month.

Before Dr. Carter G. Woodson, there was very little accurate written history about the lives and experiences of Americans of African descent. Today a National Historic Site, Dr. Woodson’s home served as the headquarters for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Dr. Woodson established Negro History Week here in 1926, which we celebrate today as Black History Month.

Bird's eye view of the park

Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site

Over 200,000 African-American soldiers and sailors served in the U.S. Army and
Navy during the Civil War. Their service helped to end the war and free over
four million slaves. The African American Civil War Memorial honors their
service and sacrifice.

Over 200,000 African-American soldiers and sailors served in the U.S. Army and Navy during the Civil War. Their service helped to end the war and free over four million slaves. The African American Civil War Memorial honors their service and sacrifice.

African American Civil War Memorial National Memorial

Mary McLeod Bethune achieved her greatest recognition at the Washington, DC
townhouse that is now this National Historic Site. The Council House was the
first headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and was
Bethune’s last home in Washington, DC. From here, Bethune and the NCNW
spearheaded strategies and developed programs that advanced the interests of
African American women.

Mary McLeod Bethune achieved her greatest recognition at the Washington, DC townhouse that is now this National Historic Site. The Council House was the first headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and was Bethune’s last home in Washington, DC. From here, Bethune and the NCNW spearheaded strategies and developed programs that advanced the interests of African American women.

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site

April 14, 1865. President Lincoln is assassinated at Ford’s Theatre. Discover
how a nation handled grief and loss, how everyday people experienced a
national tragedy, and how we have remembered a fallen leader. Today, in
partnership with Ford’s Theatre Society, live dramatic productions highlight
Lincoln’s love of the theatre, and the power of stories to connect us to
ourselves and our history.

April 14, 1865. President Lincoln is assassinated at Ford’s Theatre. Discover how a nation handled grief and loss, how everyday people experienced a national tragedy, and how we have remembered a fallen leader. Today, in partnership with Ford’s Theatre Society, live dramatic productions highlight Lincoln’s love of the theatre, and the power of stories to connect us to ourselves and our history.

Ford's Theatre National Historic Site

A grateful nation honors the service, valor, courage and sacrifice of the 4.7
million American sons and daughters who served in the Great War.

A grateful nation honors the service, valor, courage and sacrifice of the 4.7 million American sons and daughters who served in the Great War.

Image of the Peace Fountain within the Memorial

Peace Fountain

Image of the mock up of the soon to be installed Bronze.

Soldiers Journey

Image of the General Pershing Statue within the Memorial

General Pershing Statue

The Belvedere is the conceptual center of the World War I Memorial, providing a commanding view of its major features.

The Belvedere

World War I Memorial

A street unlike any other. It is known the world over as the heart of the
Nation's Capital. America's history has marched, paraded, promenaded, and
protested its way along the Avenue.

A street unlike any other.  It is known the world over as the heart of the Nation's Capital. America's history has marched, paraded, promenaded, and protested its way along the Avenue.

Police motorcycles pass in formation during the 2013 inaugural parade.

Pennsylvania Avenue

Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site

Every president except George Washington has called the White House home and
has run the executive branch of the United States government from within its
walls. Recognizable around the world, the White House stands as a symbol of
democracy. The White House and its park grounds also serve as an iconic place
for civil discourse.

Every president except George Washington has called the White House home and has run the executive branch of the United States government from within its walls. Recognizable around the world, the White House stands as a symbol of democracy. The White House and its park grounds also serve as an iconic place for civil discourse.

The White House and President's Park

This is where the nation comes to remember and where history is made. As
“America’s Front Yard,” the National Mall and Memorial Parks is home to many
of our country’s most iconic memorials telling the story of people and events
that shaped us as a nation. Each year, millions of people come to recreate,
commemorate presidential legacies, honor our veterans, and make their voices
heard.

This is where the nation comes to remember and where history is made. As “America’s Front Yard,” the National Mall and Memorial Parks is home to many of our country’s most iconic memorials telling the story of people and events that shaped us as a nation. Each year, millions of people come to recreate, commemorate presidential legacies, honor our veterans, and make their voices heard.

Washington Monument

From Founding Father to Presidents Park

National Mall Center

From Founding Father to Capitol

National Mall East

Honoring our Nation

National Mall West

National Mall and Memorial Parks

Built to honor George Washington, the United States' first president, the
555-foot marble obelisk towers over Washington, D.C.

Built to honor George Washington, the United States' first president, the 555-foot marble obelisk towers over Washington, D.C.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial tells the story of one of America's greatest
leaders of the 20th century.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial tells the story of one of America's greatest leaders of the 20th century.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial

Home to the National Woman's Party for more than 90 years, this was the
epicenter of the struggle for women's rights. From this house in the shadow of
the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court, Alice Paul and the NWP developed
innovative strategies and tactics to advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment
and equality for women. President Barack Obama designated the national
monument on April 12, 2016.

Home to the National Woman's Party for more than 90 years, this was the epicenter of the struggle for women's rights. From this house in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court, Alice Paul and the NWP developed innovative strategies and tactics to advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment and equality for women. President Barack Obama designated the national monument on April 12, 2016.

Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument

Through stone architecture and bronze sculptures, the World War II Memorial
recognizes the ways Americans served, honors those who fell, and recognizes
the victory they achieved to restore freedom and end tyranny around the globe.

Through stone architecture and bronze sculptures, the World War II Memorial recognizes the ways Americans served, honors those who fell, and recognizes the victory they achieved to restore freedom and end tyranny around the globe.

World War II Memorial

Officially established in 1965, National Mall and Memorial Parks actually
protects some of the older parkland in the National Park System. Areas within
this premier park provide visitors with ample opportunities to commemorate
presidential legacies; honor the courage and sacrifice of war veterans; and
celebrate the United States commitment to freedom and equality.

Officially established in 1965, National Mall and Memorial Parks actually protects some of the older parkland in the National Park System. Areas within this premier park provide visitors with ample opportunities to commemorate presidential legacies; honor the courage and sacrifice of war veterans; and celebrate the United States commitment to freedom and equality.

Constitution Gardens

Honoring the men and women who served in the controversial Vietnam War, the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial chronologically lists the names of 58,318 Americans
who gave their lives in service to their country.

Honoring the men and women who served in the controversial Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial chronologically lists the names of 58,318 Americans who gave their lives in service to their country.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Located in downtown Washington, DC, the memorial honors Martin Luther King,
Jr.'s legacy and the struggle for freedom, equality, and justice. A prominent
leader in the modern civil rights movement, Dr. King was a tireless advocate
for racial equality, working class, and the oppressed around the world.

Located in downtown Washington, DC, the memorial honors Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy and the struggle for freedom, equality, and justice. A prominent leader in the modern civil rights movement, Dr. King was a tireless advocate for racial equality, working class, and the oppressed around the world.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial National Memorial

At the Korean War Veterans Memorial, "Our nation honors her sons and daughters
who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they
never met."

At the Korean War Veterans Memorial, "Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met."

Korean War Veterans Memorial Memorial

"...as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of
Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever." Beneath these words, the 16th president
of the United States sits immortalized in marble as an enduring symbol of
unity, strength, and wisdom.

"...as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever." Beneath these words, the 16th president of the United States sits immortalized in marble as an enduring symbol of unity, strength, and wisdom.

Lincoln Memorial Memorial

These words by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ushered the United States
into World War II and defined what it is to be an American. Stop by this
secluded memorial and begin to understand the Roosevelt legacy.

These words by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ushered the United States into World War II and defined what it is to be an American. Stop by this secluded memorial and begin to understand the Roosevelt legacy.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Memorial

Author of the Declaration of Independence, statesman and visionary for the
founding of a nation.

Author of the Declaration of Independence, statesman and visionary for the founding of a nation.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial Memorial

On forested hills surrounding the nation's capital are the remnants of a
complex system of Civil War fortifications. These strategic buttresses
transformed the young capital into one of the world's most fortified cities.
By 1865, 68 forts and 93 batteries armed with over 800 cannons encircled
Washington, DC. Today, you can visit 17 of the original sites now managed by
the National Park Service.

On forested hills surrounding the nation's capital are the remnants of a complex system of Civil War fortifications. These strategic buttresses transformed the young capital into one of the world's most fortified cities. By 1865, 68 forts and 93 batteries armed with over 800 cannons encircled Washington, DC. Today, you can visit 17 of the original sites now managed by the National Park Service.

Civil War Defenses of Washington

In the 1930s, landscape architects transformed Mason’s Island from neglected,
overgrown farmland into Theodore Roosevelt Island, a memorial to America’s
26th president. They conceived a “real forest” designed to mimic the natural
forest that once covered the island. Today miles of trails through wooded
uplands and swampy bottomlands honor the legacy of a great outdoorsman and
conservationist.

In the 1930s, landscape architects transformed Mason’s Island from neglected, overgrown farmland into Theodore Roosevelt Island, a memorial to America’s 26th president. They conceived a “real forest” designed to mimic the natural forest that once covered the island. Today miles of trails through wooded uplands and swampy bottomlands honor the legacy of a great outdoorsman and conservationist.