In America, we tend to commemorate people, places, and/or events with a physical representation, a memorial or monument. These reminders let us delve into a past where independence was won, where tragedy struck, or to a time when specific great men and women lived. Though there are hundreds of monuments and memorials around the nation, both man-made and natural, a select few make it to the top of the list every year, drawing in the highest number of visitors.
- Lincoln Memorial - Surprise, surprise, Mr. Lincoln makes it to the top of the list with his fabulous memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Great Emancipator himself - or rather, his twenty-foot tall statue - greets millions of onlookers and visitors annually. If you haven't been, the Lincoln Memorial should be near the top of your travel bucket list.
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial - This two-acre national monument remembers all of the American fallen who fought in the Vietnam War in a poignant and meaningful way. Millions of people flock to the memorial to find names of loved ones, family friends, and other war heroes by scanning the walls of engraved names.
- World War II Memorial - Like with the Vietnam Memorial, the WWII Memorial in D.C. remembers the fallen soldiers and civilians who perished in WWII. From the beautiful central fountain to the name engraved pillars and arches, this memorial is both a peaceful and tasteful remembrance for everyone involved.
- Statue of Liberty - The famous French-made statue on Liberty Island is a beacon of hope, of progress, and of democracy. It's a symbol of our American rights and freedoms that sets us apart from other countries. If you're in New York, you can either take the Statue Cruises or the ferry to see the island up close.
- Independence National Historical Park - Home of the Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, and Independence Hall, this Philadelphia based national park is a monument to our Founding Fathers. Having fought for the basic rights and liberties we now possess, these men and women paved the way for modern-day America.
- FDR Memorial - Washington, D.C. has quite a few memorials and monuments, including that of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This particular memorial is uniquely designed to allow people to glimpse into the timeline of significant events during President Roosevelt's time in office.
- Mt. Rushmore - In Keystone, South Dakota, you'll find four presidents' faces carved into the rock face of the Black Hills. Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Lincoln are all represented with determined countenances.
- Jefferson National Expansion Memorial - Home of the Gateway Arch, this St. Louis memorial park commemorates Thomas Jefferson's expansion westward, the sending off of Louis and Clark to explore the extent of the Louisiana Purchase.
- Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial - On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Navy attacked the American armed forces stationed in Pearl Harbor in Honolulu. The attack initiated American involvement in WWII and changed the course of the war. Today, you can visit the sunken USS Arizona and the beautiful memorial built over the water, along with the other memorials and museums located in the park.
- MLK Jr. Memorial - Recognized as one of the most pivotal movers of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is memorialized on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
- National September 11 Memorial - One of the most tragic days in American history, September 11th and those who died in the plane crash into the Twin Towers, are remembered through a touching and poignant memorial in New York City.
- Fort McHenry - One of the oldest surviving forts, Baltimore's Fort McHenry is best known for its involvement in the War of 1812. It was here that Francis Scott Key gained the inspiration to write the poem that would become the Star-Spangled Banner, having witnessed the American flag flying high after a battle victory.
- Cabrillo National Monument - Located in sunny San Diego, Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the landing of explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. This marked the first European expedition on the West Coast and is now remembered over 144 beautiful acres of land overlooking the San Diego Bay and skyline.
