Lesson 2  Our Nation's Capital Today

    In Washington D.C. we can learn about our country's past and present.

Compare and Contrast Washington D.C.

Past

Present
Rural community; scattered houses, and woods

Dirt paths and roads - horses and carriages

Wilderness on Potomac River

White House built 1800

 Urban community; more shops today

Buses, cars, trains, airport, and Metro (underground train) System

More people work here today and many have government jobs

Some early buildings still exist

Getting Around Town

Washington D.C. has an underground train system called "Metro."  It provides fast transportation in and out of the city. Map...
Washington D.C. also has public bus system, taxis, roads/highways/cars, and two airports.
The 'Capital' is the building where the U.S. Congress meets and where our laws are made. (A capital is where a state or national government is located)

A Capital to Remember

A Capital to Remember
Lincoln Memorial was built to honor President Abraham Lincoln, who was President during the Civil War.  He helped to free African Americans from slavery and hold our nation together. It overlooks the Reflecting Pool.

http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/SocialStudies/Landmarks/Lincoln.htm
Washington Monument is the tallest stone structure in the world- 555feet high.  It was built to honor George Washington our first President.

http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/SocialStudies/Landmarks/WashMon.htm

 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial list all the names of military personal who died during the Vietnam War.  People visit the wall to remember those who died by leaving flowers and notes. Designed by Maya Ying Lin.

http://thewall-usa.com/index.html
Jefferson Memorial was built to honor Thomas Jefferson who wrote the Declaration of Independence.  There is a statue of Jefferson as part of the memorial.  Jefferson was also our third President.

http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/jeffmem.html

 

Washington D.C. has many monuments and memorials to help us remember the past.  A memorial is something that reminds us of a person or event that is important.

The Government at Work

Many people who work in Washington D. C. work for our government.
Lafayette Park is a public park across from the White House. (Public means anyone can go there.) 
  1. Many people hold protests in the park to express their opinions on certain issues, which is one of our rights in our Constitution.
  2. Many homeless people live in the park, and they remind us of problems we need to solve.
Washington D.C. is our nation's capital.
  1. many interesting things to see and do 
  2. memorials and monuments remind us of our country's past
  3. center of government
  4. place where we can learn about our country