National World War II Memorial
Overview
The U.S. National World War II Memorial is a National Memorial
dedicated to Americans
who served in the armed forces and as civilians during World War II
. Consisting of 56 pillars and a pair of arches surrounding a plaza and fountain, it is located on the National Mall
in Washington, D.C.
, on the former site of the Rainbow Pool
at the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool, between the Lincoln Memorial
and the Washington Monument
.
It opened to the public on April 29, 2004, and was dedicated by President
George W. Bush
on May 29, 2004, two days before Memorial Day
.
National Memorial
National Memorial is a designation in the United States for a protected area that memorializes a historic person or event. National memorials are authorized by the United States Congress...
dedicated to Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
who served in the armed forces and as civilians during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Consisting of 56 pillars and a pair of arches surrounding a plaza and fountain, it is located on the National Mall
National Mall
The National Mall is an open-area national park in downtown Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. The National Mall is a unit of the National Park Service , and is administered by the National Mall and Memorial Parks unit...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, on the former site of the Rainbow Pool
Rainbow Pool
The Rainbow Pool was a reflecting pool located in Washington D.C.. It was replaced by the National World War II Memorial, which also features a reflecting pool located in roughly the same spot as the Rainbow Pool.-References:...
at the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool, between the Lincoln Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial is an American memorial built to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The architect was Henry Bacon, the sculptor of the main statue was Daniel Chester French, and the painter of the interior...
and the Washington Monument
Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is an obelisk near the west end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate the first U.S. president, General George Washington...
.
It opened to the public on April 29, 2004, and was dedicated by President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
on May 29, 2004, two days before Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
.
