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    I. GENERAL PRESENTATIONMotto:Justitia omnibus (Justice to all)

    Washington, D.C. is the capital city of the United States of America. "D.C." stands forthe District of Columbia1, the federal district containing the city of Washington. The city is

    named after GeorgeWashington2,military leader of theAmericanRevolution and thefirst President of theUnited States. TheDistrict of Columbiaand the city of Washington arecoextensive and aregoverned by asingle municipalgovernment, so formost practicalpurposes they areconsidered to be thesame entity (thiswas not always thecase, though, asGeorgetown was a

    separate city within the District until 1871). However, although there is a municipalgovernment and a mayor, as per Article I, Section VIII, of the United States Constitution,Congress has the sole authority over this federal district and thus the municipalgovernment and mayor exist in the shadows of Congress3. It is commonly known as theDistrict, D.C., or simply Washington. Historically, it was called the Federal City orWashington City.

    The centers of all three branches4 of the U.S. federal government are inWashington, D.C., as well as the headquarters of most federal agencies. Washingtonserves as the headquarters for the World Bank5, the International Monetary Fund6, andthe Organization of American States7, among other international (and national)institutions. All of this has made Washington the frequent focal point of massive political

    demonstrations and protests, particularly on the National Mall. Washington is the site ofnumerous national landmarks, museums, and sports teams, and is a popular destinationfor tourists.

    Powerful rivers run through the state, providing natural habitat for one ofAmerica's best game fish, the steelhead trout. The mighty Columbia River is home toone of the world's most massive masonry structures, the Grand Coulee Dam, whichprovides 30% of the nation's hydroelectric power. From the unique temperate rainforests

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    of the west to the apple-producing orchards of the east, Washington is a state offantastic natural beauty.

    Washington has long been a gateway for African Americans emigrating from theSouth, and since the 1960s has had a (now diminishing) black majority. Many citizenslive in poverty, and social problems have been exacerbated by the transient nature ofthe governmental workforce and the District's lack of political power.

    Transportation facilities include a subway system that connects the city with

    many suburbs. The main rail and air hubs are Union Station and Ronald ReaganWashington National and Dulles International airports (both in Virginia). Nearby militaryinstallations include Fort McNair, Fort Myer, Andrews Air Force Base, and Bolling AirForce Base.

    The present system of government (in operation since 1975) provides for anelected mayor and city council but reserves for Congress veto power over the budgetand legislation and direct control over an enclave containing most of the federalbuildings and monuments.

    The Twenty-third Amendment (1961) to the Constitution gave inhabitants theright to vote in presidential elections; the District of Columbia was accorded threeelectoral votes, the minimum number. In 1970 legislation authorized election of anonvoting delegate to the House of Representatives8. There have been several

    unsuccessful attempts by the District of Columbia to gain statehood and achieve fullrepresentation in Congress.With the city facing insolvency in 1995, Congress created a financial control

    board with a mandate to supervise municipal finances. Granted virtual authority over thecity, the board concentrated on reducing the municipal workforce, paring services andprograms, stimulating the economy, retaining a middle-class presence, and transferringprison and other costly operations to the federal government; it continued its oversightuntil the District had four successive balanced budgets (2001).

    Washington became the 42nd state to join the Union on November 11, 1889. Thestate boasts vast tracts of forested land, and timber production is naturally one of thestate's economic assets. Nicknamed "the Evergreen State"9, Washington values itsforests for their contribution to both the economy and to the region's ecosystems. The

    official state tree, the western hemlock, can attain towering size and beauty.

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    II. STATE SYMBOLSSymbols are often adopted after a concerted effort by citizens to have a significant itemrecognized for its importance to the state. To that end, citizens, organizations or schoolchildren often research a particular symbol and make a request for a bill. They track thebill through the Legislative process (see "How a Bill Becomes a Law"), often providing

    further information about their request to the Legislature.If approved by the Legislature, the bill is enacted and there is a new state symbol.

    The Flag and the Great Seal of Washington

    The state flag and the state seal are similar. Passed in 1923, Washington law describes

    the flag as having dark green bunting with a state seal in the center. In the late 1890s, ablue and gold military state flag with George Washington's profile on it flew over manycities and towns throughout the state. But when it came to a final decision, the currentflag was adopted by the Legislature. According to law, the flag of the United States andthe flag of the state shall be prominently installed, displayed and maintained in schools,court rooms and state buildings.

    State Tree

    Western Hemlock

    In 1946, an Oregon newspaper teased Washington for not having a state tree. ThePortland Oregonian picked out the western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla for us, butWashington newspapers decided to choose their own and selected the popular westernred cedar. State Representative George Adams of Mason County pleaded with theLegislature to adopt the western hemlock. The hemlock, he said, would become "thebackbone of this state's forest industry." Adams' bill passed the Legislature and wassigned into law in 1947.

    State Bird

    Willow Goldfinch

    The goldfinch/ wild canary is a delicate little bird with a yellow body and black wings, andalthough it eventually became the official state bird, many other birds were considered

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    for the title. In 1928, legislators let school children select the state bird and themeadowlark won hands-down. It was a nice choice but seven other states already hadchosen the same bird. Another vote was taken in 1931 by the Washington Federation ofWomen's Clubs. Many birds were nominated, but the goldfinch won handily over thetanager, song sparrow, junco and pileated woodpecker. Now there were two state birdsand the Legislature decided to leave the final choice to school children. In 1951, childrenvoted for the goldfinch and the Legislature made it unanimous.

    State Flower

    Coast Rhododendron

    In 1892, before they had the right to vote, Washington women selected the coastrhododendron as the state flower. They wanted an official flower to enter in a floral

    exhibit at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Six flowers were considered, but the finaldecision was narrowed to clover and the "rhodie," and voting booths were set up forladies throughout the state. When the ballots were counted, the rhododendron had beenchosen as the Washington state flower. In 1959, the Legislature designated the nativespecies, Rhododendron macrophyllum, as the official flower of the state of Washington.

    State Song

    "Washington, My Home"

    The state song, "Washington, My Home," was written by Helen Davis, arranged byStuart Churchill, and became the official state song in 1959. But, like the goldfinch, it hadsome stiff competition from another popular song. Back in 1909, "Washington Beloved"was adopted, sort of, by the Legislature. Professor Edmond Meany, the historian, wrotethe words and Reginald de Koven, who also wrote "O Promise Me" and other operettas,wrote the music. But the official designation for the song was never formally introducedas a bill and so was not part of the state's code of law. When a state senator from SouthBend introduced a bill in 1959 to make "Washington, My Home" our state song, it wasapproved unanimously.

    State Fish

    Steelhead Trout

    The steelhead trout is an anadromous fish, meaning it returns to fresh water rivers tospawn. The scales of the steelhead shine flecks of silver with a gray spotted back from

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    head to tail and an intensely white belly; the two colors separated by a hint of opalescentpink. Steelhead trout is one of the most popular fish for recreational fishing, a majorindustry in Washington State. The steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) was adopted by theLegislature as a state symbol in 1969.

    State Gem

    Petrified Wood

    The geological history of our state has encompassed many great changes, one of thembeing the many lava flows from volcanic fissures. Centuries ago, the interior ofWashington was swampy and mild with many trees such as cypress, oak, elm andgingko growing in wet areas. Layers of logs were preserved with each new lava flow,and as the layers grew deeper, many of the logs became waterlogged and lay protectedin deep water. Over time, water continued to seep through the lava and permeate the

    wood with silica. Eventually, the wood fiber was completely replaced by silica, thuspetrifying many logs. The petrified wood is perfect in form and detail to the original wood.In 1975, petrified wood was adopted as the state gem. The best place to see petrifiedwood is the Gingko Petrified Forest State Park in Vantage.

    State Dance

    Square Dance

    On April 17, 1979, the square dance became the official Washington state dance. Whenthe pioneers came west, they brought with them a dance called the quadrille, whichmeans square in French. The pioneers liked the simpler term and so the square dancewas born. The dance is known for its series of figures and footwork. Dancers aredirected by a caller. It is easy to learn, a good form of exercise, and fun.

    State Folk Song

    "Roll On, Columbia, Roll OnIn the early 1940s, the federal Bonneville Power Administration produced a movieencouraging rural residents in the Pacific Northwest to electrify their homes and farms

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    for the apple and cherry crops; yellow for the wheat and grain crops; and black for theeruption of Mount St. Helens. The bill, designating a state tartan, was signed into law in1991. The Council of the Scottish Tartans Society also affixed its seal to the officialCertificate of Accreditation in 1991.

    State Insect

    Green Darner Dragonfly

    In 1997, the common green darner dragonfly, Anax junius Drury, became Washington'sofficial state insect after a group of students at Crestwood Elementary School in Kentbrought the idea to the Legislature. Students from over 100 school districts statewideparticipated in the selection of the common green darner dragonfly. Also known as the

    "mosquito hawk," this insect can be found throughout Washington and is a beneficialcontributor to the ecosystem because it consumes a large number of insect pests. It iseasily recognizable by its bright green head and thorax, it has a four to six-inchwingspan and can fly 25 to 35 miles per hour. There are over 400 different species ofdragonflies. Dragonflies existed prior to the dinosaur age and some had up to a three-foot wing span. "Darner" is one family of dragonflies and the common green (Anax

    junius) was first sighted and recorded by Drury in 1773.

    State Fossil

    Columbian mammothWashington's newest state symbol is the Columbian mammoth. Students from WindsorElementary School near Cheney led a four-year effort to have this behemoth designatedas our state fossil in 1998. Mammoth is the common name given to any member of anextinct genus Mammuthus of the elephant family.The Columbian Mammoth, (Mammuthus columbi) was a descendent of Mammuthusmeridionalis (Mammuthus meridionalis) the ancestral mammoth that entered North

    America via the Bering Land Bridge about one million years ago. Nearly all mammothsdied out about 10,000 years ago. Two species of mammoths, the Columbian and woolly,were trapped in the Hot Springs Mammoth Site pond.The Columbian Mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) was the largest mammal to have beentrapped in the La Brea Tar Pits. Some individuals stood over 13 feet tall. The ColumbianMammoth was larger, but less hairy, than the wooly mammoth which lived near the icesheets in the northern end of the continent. The mammoth became extinct about thesame time the first humans migrated into North America.

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    State HolidaysEmancipation Day

    Washington, D.C. celebrates April 16 as Emancipation Day. On that day in 1862,President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act for the release of

    certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia. The Act freed about3,100 enslaved persons in the District of Columbia nine months before President Lincolnissued his famous Emancipation Proclamation which presaged the eventual end ofslavery to the rest of the nation. The District of Columbia Compensated EmancipationAct represents the only example of compensation by the federal government to freeenslaved persons.

    The Emancipation Day celebration was held yearly from 1866 to 1901, and wasresumed as a tradition and historic celebration in 2002. On January 4, 2005, MayorAnthony Williams signed legislation making Emancipation Day an official holiday in theDistrict. Each year, a series of activities will be held during the public holiday, includingthe traditional Emancipation Day parade celebrating the freedom of enslaved persons inthe District of Columbia.

    In 2007, the observance of this holiday had the effect of nationally extending the2006 income tax filing deadline from the 16th to the 17th of April, a delay that will recurin April of 2011.

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    III. THE WHITE HOUSE

    The White House, the official residence of the president, is at 1600 PennsylvaniaAvenue in Washington, DC 20500. The site, covering about 18 acres, was selected byPresident Washington and city planner Pierre Charles L'Enfant, and the architect wasJames Hoban. The design appears to have been influenced by Leinster House, Dublin,and James Gibb's Book of Architecture. The cornerstone was laid Oct. 13, 1792, and thefirst residents were President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams in Nov. 1800.

    Choosing a City

    In the late 1700s, it was decided that our country needed a capital city. Our firstpresident, George Washington, picked a site on the Potomac River, midway between thenorthern and southern states. This spot would come to be called Washington, District ofColumbia.

    Pierre L'Enfant, a city planner from France, designed the new city. He decided toplace the Capitol Building on one hill and the "President's House" on another hill.L'Enfant had many plans for building the city, but he lost his job after too manydisagreements with landowners. The streets and parks that exist in Washington, D.C.,today are the result of the work of two surveyors, Andrew Ellicott and Benjamin

    Banneker, who made maps and plans based on L'Enfant's original designs.The original District of Columbia was like a wilderness, and the Potomac River

    caused the area to be marshy. Pigs roamed the streets, and mosquitoes made peoplesick from malaria. Conditions improved, however, when the marshes, creeks, and canalswere drained.

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    Building the White House

    While the city of Washington, D.C. was being developed, the president's housewas also getting under way. A contest was held to select a designer for the house. Whileit is said that our third president, Thomas Jefferson, submitted designs for the house,architect James Hoban won the contest.

    Work on the house began in 1792. Stonemasons were hired from Scotland.

    Bricks were made on the north lawn. Sandstone was brought from Stafford County,Virginia, and lumber from North Carolina and Virginia.President George Washington oversaw construction of the White House, but he

    never lived there! It was our second president, John Adams, elected in 1796, who firstlived in the White House. His term was almost over by the time he moved in, and onlysix rooms had been finished.

    While James Madison was president, from 1809 to 1817, the United States wentto war with England. On August 24, 1814, British soldiers sailed up the Potomac Riverand set fire to the White House. A summer thunderstorm put out the fire, but only thecharred outside walls and the interior brick walls remained. It took three years to rebuildthe White House.

    White House Facts

    The White House, the official residence of the president, is at 1600 PennsylvaniaAvenue in Washington, DC 20500. The site, covering about 18 acres, was selected byPresident Washington and city planner Pierre Charles L'Enfant, and the architect wasJames Hoban. The design appears to have been influenced by Leinster House, Dublin,and James Gibb's Book of Architecture. The cornerstone was laid in October 13, 1792,and the first residents were President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams in Nov.1800.

    The White House has a fascinating history. The main building was burned by theBritish in 1814 during the War of 1812. Afterward, when the building was being restored,

    the smoke-stained gray stone walls were painted white. The name White House,however, was not used officially until President Theodore Roosevelt had it engraved onhis stationery in 1901. Prior to that, the building was known variously as the President'sPalace, the President's House, and the Executive Mansion.

    There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels to accommodate all the peoplewho live in, work in, and visit the White House. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows,28 fireplaces, 8staircases, and 3 elevators.

    The White House has six floorstwo basements, two public floors, and twofloors for the First Family. The rooms for public functions are on the first floor. Thesecond and third floors are used as the residence of the president and first family. Themost celebrated public room is the East Room, where formal receptions take place.Other public rooms are the Red Room, the Green Room and the Blue Room. The State

    Dining Room is used for formal dinners.At various times in history, the White House has been known as the "President'sPalace," the "President's House," and the "Executive Mansion." President TheodoreRoosevelt officially gave the White House its current name in 1901.

    With five full-time chefs, the White House kitchen is able to serve dinner to asmany as 140 guests and hors d'oeuvres to more than 1,000.

    The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface.

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    For recreation, the White House has a variety of facilities available to itsresidents, including a tennis court, a jogging track, a swimming pool, a movie theater, abilliard room, and a bowling lane.

    Over the years, there have been several additions made to the main building,including the west wing (1902), the east wing (1942), and a penthouse and a bombshelter (1952). The west wing, which contains the president's oval office and the officesof his staff, is the center of activity at the White House. During Harry Truman's

    presidency, from Dec. 1948 to March 1952, the interior of the White House was rebuilt,and the outer walls were strengthened. Nevertheless, the exterior stone walls are thesame ones that were first put in place when the White House was constructed twocenturies ago.

    The White House receives approximately 6,000 visitors a day.

    The nationand the restof the worldview theWhite

    House asthe seat ofdemocracyand as auniquemuseum ofAmericanhistory. Yetthe WhiteHouse mustalso functionas a home

    for the FirstFamily andas an office

    for the President. When the public tours end each day, the entire White House becomesthe private residence of the President and his family, who maintain the upper floor astheir residence at all times.

    Behind the white stone facade, day-to-day duties take place. Here is a glancebehind the public scenes into the jobs performed every day at this national monument.One of the best-known public events to be held on the White House grounds is theannual Easter Egg Roll. White House chefs prepare hundreds of official Easter eggs thatare used for this party, held on the Monday after Easter. The tradition, begun during theHayes Administration, has grown over the years into one of the most popular events for

    children in Washington, D.C.; approximately 40,000 people participated in 1993.Gardeners from the National Park Service meticulously maintain the White House lawnsand gardens. Perhaps the most famous of the White House gardens is the RoseGarden, where the President receives visitors ranging from foreign dignitaries to SuperBowl champions. Among the events that have taken place in the Rose Garden werePresident Nixon's daughter Tricia's wedding, the honoring of the first team of U.S.astronauts, and the appointment of the first female Supreme Court Justice, Sandra DayO'Connor. During his Presidency, from 1913 to 1921, Woodrow Wilson allowed sheep to

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    graze on the White House lawns. During World War I, sale of their wool helped raisemoney for the American Red Cross.When events in the White House are covered by the media, the viewing public sees awell-composed presentation. During President Clinton's meetings in the Cabinet Room,the press uses lights, cameras, and microphones that allow him to be clearly seen andheard around the world.

    Every December the White House is decorated with Christmas trees in

    celebration of the holiday season. The National Park Service staff begins preparationsby bringing a tree into the Blue Room. Candlelight tours are conducted to allow thepublic to enjoy the beauty of the festive season in this magnificent home. For informationabout these tours, contact the White House Visitors Office, (202) 456-7041.The White House receives thousands of calls every day. White House operators assistcallers from all over the world who are trying to reach White House offices andpersonnel. People who wish to voice their opinions on current issues and policies maycall the White House Comment Line at (202) 456-1111, which allows the President tokeep in touch with people's feelings and views. The first White House telephone wasinstalled in 1879 by President Rutherford B. Hayes.

    Blue Room

    The "elliptic salon", with the Yellow OvalRoom and the Diplomatic Reception Roomformed the most elegant architectural featureof James Hoban's plans for the White House.The Blue Room has always been used as areception room except for a brief periodduring the administration of John Adamswhen it served as the south entrance hall.During the Madison administration, architectBenjamin Latrobe designed a suite of

    classical-revival furniture for the room, butonly some working drawings remain; thefurnishings were destroyed in the fire of 1814.When President Monroe redecorated the "large oval room" after the fire, he used theFrench Empire style, which is the present decor. Monroe ordered a suite of Frenchmahogany furniture through the American firm Russell and La Farge, with offices in LeHavre, France. However, the firm shipped gilded furniture instead, asserting that"mahogany is not generally admitted into the furniture of a Salon, even at privategentlemen's houses". Eight pieces of the original suite can be seen, including a berger,an armchairwith enclosed sides. A gilded bronze clockalso remains.The color blue was introduced during the administration ofMartin Van Buren in 1837; heredecorated the oval salon and began the tradition of the "blue room".

    The marble-top center table, which has been in the White House since it was purchasedby President Monroe in 1817, stands beneath the French chandelier. This early 19th-century chandelier is made of gilded-wood and cut glass, encircled with acanthusleaves. George P. A. Healy's 1859 portrait of John Tyler hangs on the west wall abovethe Monroe sofa. It is considered to be the finest in the series of Presidential portraitsHealy painted for the White House under a commission from Congress.A renovation and refurbishing of the Blue Room was initiated in the early 1990's by theCommittee for The Preservation of the White House and completed in mid-1995. Thesapphire blue fabric used for the draperies and furniture covering is similar in color to

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    fabric used in the room in 1800's. The silk upholstery fabric retains the gold eaglemedallion on the chair backs which was adapted from the depiction of one of theMonroe-era chairs in a portrait of President James Monroe.The blue satin draperies were derived from an early 19th century French source. Thewalls were hung with a light gold paper adapted from an early 19th century Americanpaper with borders adapted from two early 19th century French papers. The upperborder is blue drapery swag; the lower border along the chair rail blue and gold with

    rosettes. Installation of a new oval carpet, based on early 19th century designs,completed the renovation project. The design was adapted from an original design for aneoclassical English carpet of about 1815, the period of the furnishings acquired byPresident James Monroe for the Blue Room.

    China Room

    The "Presidential Collection Room", now theChina Room, was designated by Mrs.Woodrow Wilson in 1917 to display thegrowing collection of White House china. The

    room was redecorated in 1970, retaining thetraditional red color scheme determined bythe portrait of Mrs. Calvin Coolidge--paintedby Howard Chandler Christy in 1924.President Coolidge, who was scheduled to sitfor Christy, was too occupied that day withevents concerning the Teapot Dome oilscandal. So the President postponed hisappointment, and Mrs. Coolidge posed

    instead.

    The red theme continues in the red velvet-lined cabinets, silk taffeta draperies and the

    early 20th-century Indo-Ispahan rug. The cut glass chandelier, made about 1800, is inthe English Regency style. Flanking the portrait of Mrs. Coolidge are Chippendalesidechairs used by President George Washington in the earlier presidential residencesin New York and Philadelphia. The painting above the mantel, "View on the MississippiFifty-Seven Miles Below St. Anthony Falls, Minneapolis", was completed by FerdinandRichard in 1858--the year Minnesota achieved statehood.Almost every past President is represented in the China Room either by state or familychina or glassware. The collection is arranged chronologically, beginning to the right ofthe fireplace. Even the earliest Presidents received government funds to purchase statechina. However, by a special clause in the appropriation bills, "decayed furnishings"could be sold and the proceeds used to buy replacements. Such "furnishings" includedstate china, and during the 19th century the cupboards were frequently swept clean and

    the contents carted off to auction. The money could then be used to order a new chinaservice that better suited the President and his family.An array of presidential china is on display in the China Room.

    Entrance and Cross Halls

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    The large Entrance Hall and Cross Hallformed part of James Hoban's original plansfor the White House. The basic design hasnot been altered, although modificationshave been made during variousrenovations. During the 19th century two

    principal stairways led to the second floor.The broad staircase at the west end of theCross Hall was removed in 1902 to increasethe size of the State Dining Room. At thesame time, the remaining stairway, openinginto the Cross Hall, was enlarged. Duringthe 1948-52 renovation, this stairway wasrepositioned to open into the Entrance Hall. The Cross Hall, with marble walls and floorsadded during the Truman renovation, is lighted by two Adam-style cut-glass chandeliersmade in London about 1775. The bronze light standards date from the Rooseveltrenovation of 1902 as does the design of the decorative plaster ceiling.Other Presidential portraits hang at the east end of the Cross Hall: Lyndon by Elizabeth

    Shoumatoff, Gerald Fordby Everett Raymond Kinstler, and Jimmy Carterby Herbert E.Abrams. A portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt painted by Frank O. Salisburyhangs at the west end of the hall.

    The Entrance Hall is seen by visitors as they leave the White House. It is set offfrom the Cross Hall by a colonnade and is decorated in the same style. Its furnishingsinclude a French pier table purchased by Monroe in 1817 and a pair of French setteeswith carved mahogany swans' heads. A suite of early 19th-century Italian gilded furniturein the Empire style was placed in the halls in 1973. Herbert E. Abrams' portrait ofGeorgeBush hangs in the Entrance hall as does Aaron Shikler's portrait ofJohn F. Kennedy.The Grand Staircase is often used on ceremonial occasions. Before state dinners, thePresident greets his guests of honor in the Yellow Oval Room; then they descend thestairs to the East Roomwhere the other guests are gathered. Along the stairway hang

    portraits of 20th century Presidents, including Harry S. Truman by Greta Kempton,Dwight D. Eisenhower by J. Anthony Wills, Richard Nixon also by J. Anthony Wills,Herbert Hooverby Elmer W. Greene, and Warren Harding by F. Luis Mora; a portrait ofMrs. William Howard Taft by Bror Kronstrand is also in the stairway. Above the Americanpier table on the landing is F. Graham Cootes' painting ofWoodrow Wilson. An Englishcut-glass chandelier from about 1810 to 1815 lights the stairway at the first landing.

    The Center and Cross Halls also serve as the visitors' exit for the White HouseTour. Here visitors exit the main doors of the North Entrance to the White House.

    Diplomatic Reception Room

    The Diplomatic Reception Room

    serves as an entrance to the WhiteHouse from the South Grounds for thefamily and for ambassadors arriving topresent their credentials to thePresident. In the past, the area hashad diverse uses: as a boiler andfurnace room and as the site ofPresident Franklin D. Roosevelt'sfireside chats.

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    Since 1960, the room has been furnished as a drawing room of the Federal Period(1790-1820)--with many fine examples of the craftsmanship of New York and NewEngland cabinetmakers. The gold-and-white color scheme was chosen at that time. ARegency chandelier of cut glass and gilt bronze was added in 1971. The current rug,installed in 1983, was woven specially for the room. Its border incorporates emblems ofthe 50 states.

    The striking panoramic wallpaper in this room, "Views of North America," was firstprinted in 1834 by Jean Zuber et Cie in Rixheim, Alsace. The complete set of 32somewhat fanciful scenes, based on engravings of the 1820's, shows Americanlandscapes that were particularly admired by Europeans. Starting to the left of thedoorway from the Ground Floor Corridor are the Natural Bridge of Virginia, NiagaraFalls, New York Bay, West Point, and Boston Harbor. Wooden blocks were used to printon panels composed of small sheets of paper.

    East Room

    The East Room, scene of many historic WhiteHouse events, was designated by architect James

    Hoban as the "Public Audience Room." It normallycontains little furniture and traditionally is used forlarge gatherings, such as dances, after-dinnerentertainments, concerts, weddings, funerals,award presentations, press conferences, and bill-signing ceremonies.Today the East Room retains the late 18th-century classical style to which it was restored byarchitects McKim, Mead & White during theTheodore Roosevelt renovation of 1902. An oakfloor of Fontainebleau parquetry was installed atthe time as were the bronze electric-light standards, upholstered benches, and three

    Bohemian cut-glass chandeliers. The walls were paneled in wood with classical flutedpilasters and relief insets. The paneling was painted white, and delicate plasterdecoration was added to the ceiling.The Steinway grand piano with gilt American eagle supports was designed by EricGugler and was given to the White House in 1938 by the manufacturer. It is decoratedwith gilt stenciling by Dunbar Beck.The full-length portrait of George Washingtonthat hangs here is one of several replicaspainted by Gilbert Stuart of his "Landsdowne" portrait. It is the only object known to haveremained in the White House since 1800--except for periods of reconstruction, such asafter the British burned the mansion during the War of 1812.Local artistry, 1818: President Monroe purchased 24 chairs for the East Room fromWilliam King, a cabinetmaker in Georgetown. One of these chairs is pictured here.

    During the Civil War years and the administration of Abraham Lincoln there was muchactivity in the East Room. At one time during the war Union troops occupied the room.In 1864, the East Room was the scene of a large reception given by President Lincoln inhonor of Ulysses S. Grant shortly before his appointment as head of all the Unionarmies. In April of 1865 the East Room was again filled with people, but this time theywere mourners surrounding the body of President Lincoln after he had beenassassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Seven Presidents have lain in state in the EastRoom, including John F. Kennedy in November 1963.

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    When President Arthur redecorated the White House in 1882, Louis C. Tiffany found itnecessary only to install silver paper on the ceiling of the East Room and to increase thenumber of potted plants. All of the heavy Victorian adornments were swept away in the1902 restoration. During the Theodore Roosevelt Administration, this room became thescene of some unusual activities, including a wrestling match arranged to entertain some50 to 60 guests of the President. The exuberant Roosevelt children are also known tohave used the East Room for roller-skating.

    Blue Room

    Although intended by architect James Hoban to be the "Common Dining Room," theGreen Room has served many purposes since the White House was first occupied in1800. The inventory of February 1801 indicates that it was first used as a "LodgingRoom." Thomas Jefferson, the second occupant of the White House, used it as a diningroom with a "canvas floor cloth, painted green," foreshadowing the present colorscheme. James Madison made it a sitting room since his Cabinet met in the East Roomnext door, and the Monroes used it as the "Card Room" with two tables for the whistplayers among their guests.Styles in the room changed as frequently as the tastes of the Presidents until the time of

    Theodore Roosevelt, when it was furnished with reproductions of early 19th-centuryAmerican furniture. Not until the Coolidge administration, however, was authenticFederal-period furniture placed in the room.

    The Green Room

    The Green Room was completely refurbished in 1971. Its wallswere re-covered with the delicate green watered-silk fabricoriginally chosen by Mrs. Kennedy in 1962. Draperies of stripedbeige, green, and coral satin--a major part of the 1971renovation--were carefully designed from a pattern shown in an

    early 19th-century periodical. The coral and gilt ornamentalcornices are surmounted by a pair of hand-carved, gildedAmerican eagles with outspread wings. The eagle, patrioticsymbol of the United States, was one of the favorite decorativemotifs of the Federal period and appears in many forms in theroom.In "a noble, or genteel house," wrote Thomas Sheraton, theEnglish furniture designer, a drawing room "should possess allthe elegance embellishments can give." Most of the furnishings now in the Green Roomdate from the years 1800-15, the period of Sheraton's greatest influence on Americandecor.The walls of the Green Room are covered with elegant paintings of various people and

    scenes.

    Library

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    "Tubs Buckets and a variety of Lumber" cluttered Room 17 of the basement in February1801, according to the first official White House inventory. The room served mainly as alaundry area untilTheodore Roosevelt's renovation of the Ground Floor in 1902, when itwas designated a "Gentlemen's Ante-Room". In 1935, it was remodeled as a library, and

    in 1961 a committee was appointed to select worksrepresentative of a full spectrum of American thought andtradition for the use of the President, his family, and his

    staff. This wide-ranging collection is still being augmentedwith Presidential papers.The Library is furnished in the style of the late Federalperiod (1800-1820) with most of the pieces attributed to theNew York cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe. It is less formalthan the rooms of the State Floor and is often used for teasand meetings. The soft gray and rose tones of the panelingare complemented by a Tabriz carpet of the mid-19thcentury. The gilded wood chandelier with a painted red

    band was made about 1800 and belonged to the family of James Fennimore Cooper,author ofThe Last of the Mohicans and other classics.

    On the west wall is a neoclassical mantel that came from a house in Salem,Massachusetts. It dates from the early 19th century and is decorated with grape-leafswags and bellflower pendants.On the mantel rests a pair of English silver-plate Argand lamps, a gift of the Marquis deLafayette to Gen. Henry Knox, Secretary of War in Washington's Cabinet. Such lamps,named after their Swiss inventor, Aim Argand, were a major innovation; GeorgeWashington ordered some in 1790, noting that by report they "consume their ownsmoke...give more light, and are cheaper than candles".One of the bookshelves displays an unusual lighthouse clock made by Simon Willard tocommemorate the visit of the Marquis de Lafayette to the United States in 1824-25. Alikeness of Lafayette appears in a medallion on its base.Portraits of Native Americans by Charles Bird Kingflank the east door, and a fifth hangs

    over the entrance to the corridor.The Library was completely redecorated in 1962 as a "painted" room typical of the early1800's and was refurbished again in 1976. The paneling, now a soft gray color, datesfrom the Truman renovation of 1948-52. Old timber removed when the mansion wasstripped to a shell was made into paneling for various Ground Floor rooms.

    Map Room

    The Map Room, used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a situation room from whichto follow the course of World War II, now serves as a private meeting room for thePresident or the First Lady. It was decorated in 1970, and again in 1994, as a sittingroom in the Chippendale style, which flourished in America during the last half of the

    18th century.Named after the English furniture designer Thomas Chippendale, this style combines thegraceful lines of Queen Anne furniture with carved motifs in more elaborate rococo,Gothic, and Chinese styles. The handsome, walnut high chest of drawers on the southwall was made in Philadelphia about 1770 and has shell carvings on its pediment andapron and the knees of its cabriole legs. The open-arm easy chair is attributed toPhiladelphia cabinetmaker Thomas Affleck and dates between 1760 and 1770.The simple sandstone mantel was made from stone removed during the Trumanrenovation of the White House. Above it hangs the last situation map prepared in this

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    room for President Roosevelt, on April 3, 1945. To the right of the fireplace is a chest ofdrawers with a serpentine front made in Philadelphia about 1765. On it rests a medicinechest that is believed to have belonged to President and Mrs. James Madison and tohave been taken from the White House just before the building was burned during theWar of 1812.

    A rare 1755 French version of a map charted by colonial surveyors Joshua Fry and

    Peter Jefferson (Thomas Jefferson's father) hangs on the east wall, covering a case ofworld maps presented by the National Geographic Society.

    Red Room

    Furnished in the Empire style of 1810-30, the Red Room contains several pieces offurniture from the New York workshop of the French-born cabinetmaker Charles-HonorLannuier. Benjamin Latrobe's 1803 drawing of the State Floor indicates that the RedRoom served as "the President's Antichamber" for the Cabinet Room or President'sLibrary next door. During the Madison Administration the antechamber became the"Yellow Drawing Room" and the scene of Dolley Madison's fashionable Wednesday

    night receptions. In "that centre of attraction" said a lady who knew her well, one saw "allthese whom fashion, fame, beauty, wealth or talents, have render'd celebrated."Descriptions in contemporary accounts and bills of sale indicate that Monroe purchasedfurnishings for the Red Room, as well as for the present day Blue Room, in theprevailing Empire style. This style suited Monroe's desire to furnish the house in amanner that he considered appropriate to the dignity of the nation. The room has usuallyserved as a parlor or sitting room; recent Presidents have had small dinner parties here.In 2000 the Red Room was refurbished, preserving the American Empire style chosen in1962 during the Kennedy Administration. Theelegance of the Red Room furniture derives from acombination of richly carved and finished woodsin characteristic designs such as dolphins,

    acanthus leaves, lion's heads, and sphinxes. Thefurniture displays many motifs similar to those ofthe French pieces now in the Blue Room.Egyptian motifs were extensively used in FrenchEmpire furnishings following Napoleon's 1798-99campaign in Egypt, and many of these samedesigns were adopted by cabinetmakers workingin New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.

    All the fabrics now in the Red Room werewoven in the United States from French Empiredesigns. The walls are covered by a red twill satinfabric with a gold scroll design in the borders. The

    furniture, like the American Empire sofa, isupholstered in a silk of the same shade of red. Anearly 19th-century design inspired the draperies.The carpet--of beige, red and gold--is areproduction of an early 19th-century French Savonnerie carpet in the White Housecollection; it was made for the room in 1997. The 36-light French Empire chandelier wasfashioned from carved and gilded wood in 1805.Some of thepaintings in the Red Room today are available for viewing.

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    State Dining Room

    The State Dining Room, which now seats as manyas 140 guests, was originally much smaller andserved at various times as a drawing room, office,and Cabinet Room. Not until the Andrew Jackson

    administration was it called the "State DiningRoom," although it had been used for formaldinners by previous Presidents.As the nation grew, so did the invitation list toofficial functions at the White House. During therenovation of 1902 by architects McKim, Mead &White, the room size was enlarged after the mainstairway from the west end of the Cross Hall wasremoved. The two Italian marble mantels installed

    by Monroe were moved to the Red and Green Rooms; a single larger fireplace wasconstructed on the west wall. The architecture of the room was modeled after that ofneoclassical English houses of the late 18th century. Below a new ceiling and a cornice

    of white plaster, natural oak wall paneling with Corinthian pilasters and a delicatelycarved frieze was installed. Three console tables with eagle supports, made by the A. H.Davenport Co. of Boston, were placed against the walls, and a silver-plate chandelierand complementing wall sconces were added.When not set for a state dinner, as seen above, the mahogany dining table, surroundedby Queen Anne-style chairs, displays part of Monroe's gilt service purchased fromFrance in 1817. The ornamental bronze-dor pieces are used today as tabledecorations. The plateau centerpiece, with seven mirrored sections, measures 14 feet 6inches in length when fully extended. Standing bacchantes holding wreaths for tinybowls or candles border the plateau. Three fruit baskets, supported by female figures,may be used to hold flowers. The two rococo-revival candelabra date from the Hayesadministration.

    Carved into the mantel below George P. A. Healy's portrait of President Lincoln is aninscription from a letter written byJohn Adams on his second night in the White House:I pray Heaven to Bestow the Best of Blessings on THIS HOUSE and on All that shallhereafter Inhabit it. May none but honest and Wise Men ever rule under this roof.

    Vermeil Room

    The Vermeil Room, sometimes called 1991; it serves as a display room and, for formaloccasions, as a ladies sitting room. The soft yellow of the paneled walls complementsthe collection of vermeil, or gilded silver, bequeathed to the White House in 1956 by Mrs.

    Margaret Thompson Biddle.The vermeil collection contains pieces from different services and includes the work

    of English Regency silversmith Paul Storr (1771-1844), French Empire silversmith Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot (1763-1850), and Philip Rundell of London, who crafted thevermeil wine cooler at the right. The cooler has as its handles classical figures reachingfor grapes from an arbor.

    The green silk draperies are of early 19th-century design. The carpet is a TurkishHereke of about 1860, chosen for its pale green background and gold silk highlights. Inthe center of the room stands a circular mahogany table made in the Empire style in the

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    19th century. Its tilt top is veneered in 12 wedge-shaped sections, each inlaid with abrass star. Hanging above it is a cut-glass chandelier with ten arms, which was made inEngland about 1785.

    Portraits of seven First Ladies are exhibited in the Vermeil Room. Against the southwall is a New York sofa circa 1815 attributed to the workshop of Duncan Phyfe. It hasscrolled ends and a reeded frame. Two pairs of American Empire card tables with lyre-form supports stand against the east and west walls.

    IV. MEMORIALS AND LANDMARKS

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    The National Mall and Memorial Parks

    Officially established in 1965, National Mall & Memorial Parks contains some ofthe oldest protected park lands in the National Park Service. The sprawling lands of theNational Mall & Memorial Parks include the Mall, the public promenade extending from3rd Street near the Capitol to 14th Street. The National Mall is the continuation of thatspace where congressionally authorized park icons, such as the Washington Monument,WWII and Lincoln Memorials stand. This historic expanse is the linear area between thePotomac River and Capital Reflecting Pool. In addition to the memorial core, the parkincludes some 156 reservations, circles, fountains and other open spaces, all of which

    serve as the nations front yard. Fords Theatre, The House where Lincoln died,Potomac Park, Hains Point and Pennsylvania Avenue NHS are also among the parkmanaged areas that constitute National Mall & Memorial Parks.

    Having over 1,000 acres of National Park Service managed land within theNations Capital, National Mall & Memorial Parks provides visitors with abundantopportunities to commemorate presidential legacies; honor the courage, sacrifice anddevotion to duty of war veterans; celebrate the United States commitment to freedom,equality and democratic ideals; and enjoy symbolic architecture, historic vistas andrenowned natural landscapes.

    The Library of Congress

    The Washington Library of Congress, in theCapitol Hill area of Washington DC, is thenational library of America and is actually theworld's largest library and one of the majorlandmarks in Washington DC. Its three enormousbuildings are home to more than 100 millionitems, including the papers of over 20 presidents,along the 535 miles / 856 km of bookshelves.There is an interesting short film shown in theground-floor's visitor's center and guided tours ofthe Washington Library of Congress are

    available. One of the main attractions is the grand Main Reading Room, which featureshigh ceilings and impressive architecture. The Washington Library of Congress is

    situated close to the Capitol South Metrotrain station.

    The National Archives

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    The National Archives is the official library where the records of the threebranches of the U.S. government are kept and preserved. The Declaration ofIndependence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are on display here. A collection ofpictures taken during the Civil War by the famous photographer Matthew Brady are alsoon display. The building is located on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. Theagency was created in 1934 and the building was completed in 1935.

    Washington Monument

    Washington Monument, obelisk-shaped tower, 555 ft 5 1/9 in.(169.3 m) high, located on a 106-acre (43-hectare) site at the westend of the Mall, Washington, D.C.; dedicated 1885. In 1783,Congress passed a resolution approving an equestrian statue ofGeorge Washington, and in 1791 architect Pierre L'Enfant includeda site for the statue near the present location of the monument inhis plans for the federal city. Washington, however, objected to theidea. After Washington's death in 1799, plans for a memorial werediscussed but none was adopted until 1832, when the private

    Washington National Monument Society was formed. Its activitybrought gifts of money as well as blocks of stone from each state,some foreign governments, and private individuals. These tributeblocks carry inscriptions on the inside walls of the monument.

    Architect Robert Mills's elaborate Greek temple design was accepted for the monument,and on July 4, 1848, the cornerstone was laid. Work on the project was interrupted bypolitical quarreling in the 1850s; by the Civil War, funds became scarce. It was not until1876 that Congress took over the project and appropriated money for the monument.The base, entirely different from Mills's design, was completed in 1880; the aluminumtop was positioned in 1884; and the monument was opened to the public in 1888. Thetop may be reached by elevator; public access by the stairs is no longer permitted. Themonument underwent renovation from 1997 to 2000.

    Smithsonian Institution

    A rich English researcher, JamesSmithson, left all his money to create amuseum in Washington, D.C. to the increaseand diffusion of knowledge. And he never evenvisited the United States! He also left hisscientific library and his collection of mineralsfor the new museum. The Smithsonian is not

    just one building. It is a network of museums

    and art galleries, research projects and special performances. It includes 14 museums.Some of them are the National Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural Historyand the National Portrait Gallery.

    Lincoln Memorial

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    The construction of this memorial to the 16th President of the United Statesstarted in 1914 and was completed in 1922. It is located on the west end of the Mall.Architect Henry Bacon modeled the marble, granite and limestone building after theGreek Parthenon. The inside of the memorial is divided into three chambers: central,north and south. A white marble statue of President Lincoln sits in the central chamber.The Gettysburg Address, which Lincoln gave on November 19, 1863, at Gettysburg,

    Pennsylvania, is in the south chamber, and his second inaugural speech is in the northchamber. The 36 Doric columns on the outside of the memorial represent the number ofstates in the Union at the time of Lincoln's death in 1865.

    The StatueDaniel Chester French, the leading American sculptor

    of the day, created the famous statue of Lincoln whichdominates the interior. The memorial plans originally specifieda 12-foot bronze statue, but it proved out of scale for thehuge building. The finished statue is 19 feet tall, carved of28 blocks of white Georgia marble. French later hadspecial lighting installed to enhance the figure. Visitors

    sometimes ask if the hands have special significance (suchas forming the letter "A" in sign language), but there is noindication French intended it.

    InscriptionsDirectly behind the Lincoln statue you can read the words of Royal Cortissoz

    carved into the wall: "IN THIS TEMPLE AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE FORWHOM HE SAVED THE UNION THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN ISENSHRINED FOREVER

    Jefferson Memorial

    In 1934, Congress authorized theconstruction of a memorial to honor ThomasJefferson, the third President of the UnitedStates. He is considered the politicalphilosopher of the American Revolution. Healso drafted the Declaration of Independence.Architect John Russell Pope, who designed thememorial, used some of Jefferson's own

    architectural preferences in his design. The memorial, like Jefferson's home in

    Monticello, is based on the Roman Pantheon. Construction of the circular marblebuilding was finished in 1943. It is located near the Potomac River and overlooks theTidal Basin, which is surrounded by Japaneseflowering cherry trees.

    Vietnam Veterans Memorial

    Vietnam Veterans Memorial, war memorialin Washington, D.C., built 1982. Designed by the

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    May 30, 1958. The Unknown Serviceman of Vietnam was buried on May 28, 1984. InJune 1998 he was identified as First Lt. Michael Blassie, an Air Force pilot from St.Louis. The inscription carved on the Tomb of the Unknowns reads: HERE RESTS INHONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD

    U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

    The Holocaust Museum opened in 1993 andis located near the Mall, which is wheremany of Washington's museums andmemorials are located. The museum isAmerica's national institution for thedocumentation, study and interpretation ofHolocaust history. The memorial houses thelargest collection of material about themurder of more than six million Jews by NaziGermany between 1933 and 1945. It cost

    more than $168 million to build the museum. Because many of the exhibits are graphicand upsetting, children under age 12 should probably wait until they are older to visit the

    museum.

    FDR Memorial

    Located along the famous Cherry TreeWalk on the Western edge of the Tidal Basin nearthe National Mall, this is a memorial not only toFranklin Delano Roosevelt, but also to the era herepresents. The memorial traces twelve years ofAmerican History through a sequence of fouroutdoor rooms-each one devoted to one of FDR's

    terms of office. Sculptures inspired byphotographs depict the 32nd President: a 10-footstatue shows him in a wheeled chair; a bas-reliefdepicts him riding in a car during his firstinaugural. At the very beginning of the memorialin a prologue room there is a statue with FDR seated in a wheelchair much like the onehe actually used.

    Unlike the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials which are compact, covered andfocused on a single statue of each president, the FDR memorial is vast, uncovered, andfocused on numerous statues, quotes, and waterfalls. Halprin's design honors FDR bytelling the story of the president and the country in a chronological order. SinceRoosevelt was elected to four terms of office, Halprin created four "rooms" to represent

    the twelve years of Roosevelt's presidency. The rooms, however, are not easily definedand the memorial is more accurately described as a long, meandering path, bordered bywalls made of red South Dakota granite.

    U.S. Capitol

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    The Capitol building is rich in historic associations. It was in the old Senate chamber thatDaniel Webster cried out, Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable! InStatuary Hall, which used to be the oldHouse chamber, a small disk on the floormarks the spot where John Quincy Adamswas fatally stricken after more than 50 yearsof service to his country. A whisper from

    one side of this room can be heard acrossthe vast space of the hall.This is where Congress meets and

    conducts business. It is located on the eastend of the Mall. Construction of the buildingstarted in 1792, and its design was modifiedseveral times, until it was finished in 1865.The Capitol's most recognizable feature isthe 180-foot-high cast iron dome of the Great Rotunda. In addition to its historicalassociation, the Capitol Building is also a vast artistic treasure house. The works of suchfamous artists as Gilbert Stuart, Rembrandt Peale and John Trumbull are displayed onthe walls. The Great Rotunda is decorated with a massive fresco by Constantino

    Brumidi. A monorail subway joins the House and Senate wings of the Capitol with theCongressional office buildings.The Capitol Building is also a vast artistic treasure house. The works of such

    famous artists as Gilbert Stuart, Rembrandt Peale, and John Trumbull are displayed onthe walls. The Great Rotunda, with its 180-foot- (54.9-meter-) high dome, is decoratedwith a fresco by Constantino Brumidi, which extends some 300 ft (90 m) incircumference. Throughout the building are many paintings of events in U.S. history andsculptures of outstanding Americans.The 68-acre (27.5-hectare) park that the Capitol issituated on was designed by the 19th-century landscape architect Frederick LawOlmsted.

    There are free guided tours of the Capitol, which include admission to the Houseand Senate galleries. Those who wish to visit the visitors' gallery in either wing without

    taking the tour may obtain passes from their senators or representatives. Visitors mayride on the monorail subway that joins the House and Senate wings of the Capitol withthe congressional office buildings.

    The Pentagon

    The Pentagon serves as theheadquarters of the United StatesDepartment of Defense. As one of theworld's largest office buildings, it has a floorspace of 3,705,793 square feet, or threetimes that of the Empire State Building in

    New York. The Pentagon houses a dailyworking population of approximately 24,000employees, both military and civilian.

    The Pentagon Reservation islocated in southeastern Arlington County,Virginia, and is situated between a large

    man-made lagoon (the Pentagon Lagoon, formed during construction) and thesoutheastern corner of Arlington National Cemetery. The northeastern and easternfacades have unobstructed vistas of the Monumental Core of the Nations Capital across

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    the Potomac River. The Pentagons relatively low profile also permits clear vistas ofWashington from the highlands of Arlington National Cemetery.The Pentagon Complex is composed of 200 acres of lawn as well of 16 parking lots,which hold approximately 8,770 cars. Despite 17.5 miles of corridors it takes only sevenminutes to walk between any two points in the building. It houses more than 4,200clocks, 691 water fountains, 284 rest rooms, one dining room, 2 cafeterias, 6 snack barsand one outdoor snack bar. Restaurant service is outsourced under contract to a civilian

    operation.The Pentagon building, constructed in the early years of World War II in thespace of only 16 months, is composed of five concentric pentagonal rings connected byten radial corridors. The structure is three times the size of the Empire State Buildingand 50 percent larger than Chicagos Merchandise Mart. The five concentric pentagonalrings are separated by interior courts which serve as light wells. This design featureincreases the number of windows allowing natural light. Each ring has five stories. TheMall and River sides of the building have a Basement area which includes a partialMezzanine. The innermost and outermost rings have sloping slate roofs, while the otherthree rings have flat, built-up roofs. The rings are connected at each floor level by aseries of ten radial corridors extending from the A ring (innermost) to the E ring(outermost).

    The building was constructed in the early years of World War II in the space ofonly 16 months, and was completed on January 15, 1943 at a cost of roughly $83million. Its construction managed the consolidation of 17 buildings belonging to the WarDepartment, and required 5.5 million cubic yards of earth, 41,492 concrete piles, as wellthe dredging of 680,000 tons of sand and gravel into 435,000 cubic yards of concrete.On September 11, 2001 the Pentagon was attacked by terrorists flying an airplane.About 2,000,000 square feet was damaged by the will cost about $700 million to repair.

    V. Economy

    Major Industries and Commercial Activity

    A 2004 report by the D.C. Chamber of Commerce characterized the localeconomy as diversifying and growing, though still narrowly specialized and externallydriven. The Washington area ranks first among all national metropolitan areas in federalprocurement dollars. Taking advantage of that influx of capital, as well as the city'sadvantage as the center of all national capital functions, will be key to the D.C. area'sfuture economic vitality and job growth. Between 2000 and 2015 key sectors driving theeconomy will continue to be the federal government, technology, construction andinternational business. However, manufacturing has never been a strong suit.

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    People often think of Washington, D.C. as a "company town" where most peoplework for the federal government. However, in the early twenty-first century, only one ofsix workers in the area was on the government payroll. By contrast, there has been agreat deal of growth in the private service sector, which now accounts for one of everythree jobs. In recent decades it has played a growing role in Washington's economy.Important contributors to the District's economy include the service sector (whichemploys one out of every three workers), high-technology companies (for whom the

    federal government provides the world's largest market), financial institutions, printingand publishing, and telecommunications. The largest non-government employers areGeorge Washington University, the Potomac Electric Power Company, GeorgetownUniversity, Howard University, The Washington Post, Bell Atlantic Washington, and theFederal National Mortgage Association. In addition, a substantial segment of thecapital's business is conducted by the 1,000-plus special-interest groups and nationalassociations who maintain headquarters there.

    Still, many of these employees work for companies who rely on governmentcontracts. As the largest consumer of technological equipment and service in the world,the federal government stimulates business through purchases, research anddevelopment funding, and grant and loan programs. As a result, Washington is a magnetfor growth industries, such as paper products, telecommunications, information and

    computer firms, and many service industries, especially tourism and hospitality firms.There are more than 500 publishing and printing companies in the district toproduce the vast array of documents generated by the federal government. In addition,the city houses more than 1,000 national associations' headquarters and lobby groupswho need a presence in the district to attempt to shape and influence the legislationprocess on their own behalf.

    The Capital City has an inventory of nearly 100 million square feet of officespace. A key to office development has been the growth of the Metrorail subwaystations. Commercial projects have typically followed the opening of new subway stops.Many of the new buildings are connected directly to the stations through undergroundtunnels that also serve retail stores and restaurants. Major residential projects onPennsylvania Avenue N.W. and at Market Square include residential housing units

    mixed with other types of retail, office, and commercial uses.

    Footnotes

    1. The District of Columbia, founded on July 16, 1790, is a federal district asspecified by the United States Constitution. The U.S. Congress has ultimate authority

    over the District of Columbia, though it has delegated limited local rule to the municipalgovernment. The land forming the original District came from the states of Virginia andMaryland. However, the area south of the Potomac River (39 square miles or about 100km) was returned, or "retroceded", to Virginia in 1847 and now is incorporated intoArlington County and the City of Alexandria. The district is named after Columbus.

    2. George Washington

    3. Congress

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    4. The threebranches4 of the U.S. federal government are:

    5. the World Bank

    6. The International Monetary Fund

    7. The Organization of American States

    8. The House of Representatives

    9. The Evergreen State

    On- l i ne sources

    http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=4640

    www.washington .org

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.

    www.washingtondc .com

    http://ahp.gatech.edu/dc_map.html

    29

    http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=4640http://www.washington.org/http://www.washington.org/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.Chttp://www.washingtondc.com/http://www.washingtondc.com/http://ahp.gatech.edu/dc_map.htmlhttp://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=4640http://www.washington.org/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.Chttp://www.washingtondc.com/http://ahp.gatech.edu/dc_map.html
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    http://app.dpr.dc.gov/DPR/information/parks/index.asp

    http://www.dc.gov/

    http://cityguide.aol.com/washington

    http://www.nga.gov/

    http://www.dchomepage.net/dchomepage/

    YINGER Jon Anthony - United States : government and politics;

    WEST Edwin G. - Education and the State : A study in political economy;

    WEBSTER Donald H. - Washington state government : administrative,

    organization and functions;

    WILSON Woodrow- George Washington, fondatorul Statelor Unite;

    WOODWARD W. E. George Washington. Then image and the man,

    CONCLUSION

    This paper is meant to enlighten the reader onWashington D.C., the fascinating capital of the UnitedStates of America. The five chapters introduce thereader into its geographical position, state symbols

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    http://app.dpr.dc.gov/DPR/information/parks/index.asphttp://www.dc.gov/http://cityguide.aol.com/washingtonhttp://www.nga.gov/http://www.dchomepage.net/dchomepage/http://app.dpr.dc.gov/DPR/information/parks/index.asphttp://www.dc.gov/http://cityguide.aol.com/washingtonhttp://www.nga.gov/http://www.dchomepage.net/dchomepage/
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    that the inhabitants of the city take great pride in, theofficial home of the president, The White House, thenumerous monuments and museums and the citysflourishing economy. All these provide an idyllic

    setting to learn about the history of the "greatestnation of the modern world".The city's wealth of American history and culture

    is overwhelming and, hopefully, this paper will be thestarting point of anybodys desire to continueexploring the American heritage found here.