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Last Post: 12:27:15am, 04/10/2024
ZenOfThunder posted...
say, for instance, it was built in Mount Vernon, where I don't think a lot of people go unless they are history diehards
would people flock to see a random obelisk still?
We actually had a field trip to Mount Vernon in Elementary School. Mount Vernon is actually still a pretty common destination. We also went to Ferry Farm where George Washington was born. Both of which are pretty popular places for people to visit. Not just diehards to history. Fun fact: Walmart tried to buy the land around Ferry Farm at one point.
Anyway this is an interesting question. Of course we first have to decide what IS a monument. Because there's a difference between Landmarks and Monuments. The dictionary defines it as thus: a statue, building, or other structure erected to commemorate a famous or notable person or event."
That's pretty different from a landmark, which I'd argue for example the Hollywood sign is. Hollywood Sign is a landmark, and would probably be on the Mt. Rushmore of American landmarks.
The Statue of Liberty is probably the most obvious choice for this list. It was a symbol that greeted immigrants when they first arrived on Ellis Island. Her famous words "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" though words we haven't always lived up to, are words we've always aspired to.
Next, I would say the Lincoln Memorial. From there, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I have a dream" speech. It's featured on our money. It's on the other side of the Washington Monument. And I believe it's the most visited American monument at 7 million people per year. (By comparison, i believe only just over half a million visit the Washington Monument!)
Third, would be the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which is the second most visited memorial, just behind the Lincoln Memorial at almost 6 million people!
For the fourth, I almost want to say the World War II memorial, but I feel it's still too new. And I feel like though fewer people visit the Washington Monument, it's extremely recognizable. And it overlooks so many major memorials. Though it also feels weird to list three monuments that are placed so close together. Mount Rushmore itself is pretty impressive, and gets around 2 million visitors per year (that's more than twice the population of South Dakota, where it resides!) At the same time, I feel like putting it on there when it's on stolen land is a bit iffy, and might just keep it off. Between the Washington Monument and the World War II memorial, I feel the recognizability of the Washington Monument earns its place. Some people probably aren't even aware of the World War II memorial (though they should be!)
Lincoln Memorial
Statue of Liberty
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Washington Monument