Significant Historical Monuments - Essay Example

Introduction Throughout history, many historical events have occurred and many of these occurrences have been recognized through the building of monuments. Examples of these monuments can be found all over the world, with an excellent example being Washington, D.C.. Washington, D.C. is the home of significant historical monuments like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Peace Monument, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Through these historical sites, it is possible to see many of the country’s significant historical moments, as they are remembered at these locations. In addition, these sites often involved in historical events, as the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial have been the location of a number of different events over the years. Monuments are a form of history making because they symbolize significant aspects of history, while giving a certain interpretation of these events, and passing these occurrences and interpretations down to the next generation of Americans. These have become a part of American culture and ‘cultural amnesia is literally impossible in Washington‘ (Conzen, 1990, P. 321). Monuments are important to the history of the United States, but they should be recognized as interpretive history, rather than the whole truth. Washington Monument The Washington Monument is one of the most well known pieces of architecture in the world. It is located at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and was constructed to remember the life and political achievements of George Washington. George Washington was one of the founding fathers of the United States, so it makes sense that he would have a monument designed in his honour. He is a significant historical figure and, therefore, it can be said that he deserves to be remembered in history. Through the erection of this monument, the American public can actively remember how Washington took over as the leader of the colonial army in 1775 and led his troops to victory over the British. This led to the United States being granted its independence from Britain, which is surely one of the most significant moments in the country’s history. Soon after this victory, Washington was elected as the first President of the United States, which is another reason why this monument is important to capturing history. Washington was later responsible for bringing the three branches of government together and developing a new political system in the United States. This monument, therefore, was constructed as a show of respect for Washington’s accomplishment. This monument, however, can also be recognized as a form of history making because of the structure it took and what the monument is supposed to depict. When Washington died, people immediately wished to remember his legacy in some manner and believed that something should be constructed in his honour. They could not, however, agree on what the design should actually be, since there were a variety of different options. It was eventually decided that a tower would be constructed in his honour, with the design of this tower intended to be the highest standing free structure in the world. The design of this tower ensured that it would be respected, which is the way in which the designer wished to remember Washington. This can be considered a problem, however, as it is an interpretation of Washington’s life. As with anything that is open to interpretation, there is room for disagreement. This monument will remember everything positive that Washington accomplished, but it does leave out less desirable things, which is a reason why it makes history. It makes history what the people want it to be and not necessarily what it is in reality. It is the interpretation of that period’s landscape and ‘landscape denotes the external world mediated through subjective human experience in a way that neither region nor area immediately suggest. Landscape is not merely the world we see, it is a construction, a composition of that world. Landscape is a way of seeing the world’ (Cosgrove, 1998, P. 13). George Washington was not perfect, but the construction of this monument in his honour ensures that he will be remembered in a positive manner for as long as this monument stands. The monument is symbolic of Washington’s life and, therefore, has created a form of history by determining how he will be remembered by the public. Lincoln Memorial The Lincoln Memorial is another significant piece of architecture in the United States that symbolizes the life of a former American President and represents how the country wished to remember his contributions. Abraham Lincoln remains one of the most beloved figures in American history because of what he did for the country. It was under his leadership that emancipation, which ended slavery in the United States, came into being and he also led the Union to victory against confederate forces during the American Civil War. This was viewed by many Americans as Lincoln being responsible for uniting the country and, therefore, each state in the Union is represented in this monument. Through this monument, the American public is able to remember Lincoln as a heroic figure and ‘the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in 1922 expressed the transformation of Abraham Lincoln himself from a northern and Republican hero of emancipation to a national symbol of reunion’ (Abbott, 1999, P. 117). The statue of him also gives a representation of his physical appearance, which is important because it creates a visual to be remembered by history. Much like Washington’s monument, Lincoln and his actions are interpreted in a certain manner and this is what is left to the public to view. Despite this, however, ‘any social practice (even the wink of an eye) is capable of multiple interpretations’ (Jackson, 1989, P. 173) and these other interpretations are not given here. While not everyone may agree with this interpretation of his life, as he was hated in the southern states and was eventually assassinated, those who were responsible for the memorial wished for him to be remembered in the manner in which he is perceived here. Therefore, once again, this statue makes history by showing Lincoln in a certain manner and having that be the way in which he is remembered. The memorial leaves out any negative interpretations of his life and leaves the American public with an artist’s view of him and what he symbolizes for American society. The text above his head says ‘In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever,’ which shows how he is to be remembered in American culture and is symbolized in this memorial. Washington, D.C. Capitol Building The importance of the Washington, D.C. Capitol Building and its contribution to history is much different from the monuments that are dedicated to individuals or specific events because the history making is more about the event than the interpretation. For example, while the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial are meant to be a celebration of those individuals’ lives, the Capitol Building is literally a location where historical events transpire. The Capitol Building is where United States Congress sits, but it has become much more than that because of historical events that are linked to the building. For example, Presidential inaugurations were common on this site, as it was considered a place worthy of such a ceremony. In addition, many former Presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln, William Howard Taft, John F. Kennedy, Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford have lain in state at this location. This is done in order for the public to see the history that has preceded them and to remember the past. The Capitol Building is able to make history by having it unfold within the building on a regular basis, which is one reason why is can be considered a monument. The artefacts that are found within the building are also highly symbolic of the history of the United States, which is how the Capitol Building is similar to the other monuments. For example, much of the artwork comes in the form of murals that are dedicated to America’s past. These murals are known as the Brumidi Corridors and show many important moments and people in the history of the United States. People like Benjamin Franklin and John Fitch were originally shown, while space was still left open to include events of the future. Currently, the Spirit of St. Louis and the Moon landing, among others, have been added to the wall, as it is meant to be an interpretive history of the United States. This, however, raises the same issues as the monuments, as the paintings are a subjective account of what is important in the nation’s history. Only the things that those in power want to be portrayed on these walls will be. This means that negative events that are significant to the country’s history will be excluded, as many wish to forget about these moments. Therefore, this wall is responsible for making history because it highlights the events that are viewed as positive history, which is a form of making history. The Capitol Building is an excellent example of history making because its walls make American history into what the country’s leaders want it to be. It is symbolized through this artwork in a certain manner, but this manner excludes many aspects of history that are less desirable. The White House The White House is responsible for making history because of what it says about each individual President. Throughout American history, the White House has evolved in order to reflect the values of American society during that time period. At the same time, each individual President has left his mark on the house, leaving history in the process. What each President left in the White House, therefore, is symbolic of how that President wished to be remembered in American history. This building is able to make history because it has housed so many Presidents who have had such a large impact on the world. With that being said, the President is not permitted to change things in the public sector of the White House unless it is approved by the White House Preservation Committee, which means that the historical aspects of the White House will be preserved as they are unless something drastic occurs in the future. Therefore, it is an interpretation of the nation’s history that is left in the White House and this cannot be changed. Much like the other monuments in the history of the United States, the White House is responsible for making a history that the country can be proud of, even if it does not tell the whole truth. An example of a historical event that is not remembered in the White House is that it was set ablaze during the War of 1812. This is another example of how historical interpretations that come in the form of monuments can often leave out negativity, as this is not what the makers want the public to see. The Peace Monument The Peace Monument can be considered a history maker because it is meant for only a certain part of the country. This monument is a tribute to the Union’s soldiers who died at sea during the Civil War. In this monument, History, Victory, and Peace are portrayed, but the interpretation comes solely from the North’s point of view during the conflict. This is a historical event that could be interpreted in a number of different manners but in this particular case, it is represented in the manner that the North would have wanted it. Perhaps the most important aspect of this monument is Peace, which is symbolized by a girl holding an olive branch. This is meant to signify that the deaths of these people were needed in order for peace to eventually be achieved, which is an ideology that is still present in the United States today. The leaders of the Union wanted the war and, therefore, the lives lost to be deemed as necessary and this monument represents them as such. Because of this, the monument can be regarded as history making because it symbolizes the Civil War and the lives lost as justified because it makes the claim that ‘wars legitimate object is more perfect peace’ (Jacob & Remsberg, 1998, P. 97). This could be open to interpretation, however, as any time a war breaks out it should be questioned. Any questions regarding the American Civil War, however, are not represented in this monument and, therefore, have been neglected by history. Vietnam Veterans Memorial A more contemporary example of how history can be made through a monument comes in the form of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This monument, as the name states, is dedicated to those who served the United States in the Vietnam War and includes the names of those who were killed in action or remain missing. This memorial, however, only remembers the fallen soldiers and does not include any of the political events surrounding the war. This has made the site very controversial, as it leaves out the fact that many of these soldiers, along with their families at home, did not believe in what the war was trying to accomplish. By leaving out the social and political contexts of the war, this site is leaving out a large part of history. While this is not a major flaw in the design right now, as the Vietnam War is still relatively fresh in peoples’ minds, these memories will fade and this monument is one of the things that will be left. Therefore, in the future, it could be said that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial made history by leaving out certain aspects of the conflict. Conclusion Each of these monuments has a historical significance that goes beyond the actual physical monument. They all represent something more, as they are each representative of events in the country’s history. The United States has been blessed with a deep history, but these monuments only show certain parts of it. Every monument that is constructed has a certain goal that it is attempting to accomplish. Each of these monuments is meant to symbolize something about the person or event being depicted. In the United States, many of the monuments only show the good about people and about events, leaving out the things that could possibly be interpreted negatively. The nation’s founding fathers are always shown to be brave and selfless, while leaving out any bad qualities or mistakes they may have made. Paintings are left only to show positive events, as negative or embarrassing occurrences are often ignored. Often times, only one side of a conflict is shown and in others, no mention of the actual conflict is shown at all. Each of these monuments is based on someone’s or some group’s interpretation of history and that interpretation is shown to the public as the truth. While other versions are available, they are not shown in monument form, which can often discount their validity. For these reasons, the monuments in Washington, D.C. are a form of history making, as they make history the way that it sounds best for the country’s past and present morale. Works Cited Abbott, Carl, 1999, Political Terrain: Washington, D.C., from Tidewater Town to Global Metropolis, Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. Conzen, Michael P., 1990, The Making of the American Landscape, London: Routledge. Cosgrove, Denis E., 1998, Social Formation and Symbolic Landscape, Madison, WI, University of Wisconsin Press. Jackson, Peter, 1989, Maps of Meaning: An Introduction to Cultural Geography, London: Routledge. Jacob, Kathyryn A., & Remsberg, Edwin H., 1998, Testament to Union: Civil War Monuments in Washington, D.C.. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press. Read More