Thomas Jefferson Memorial (Thomas Jefferson Memorial)

The Jefferson Memorial was built under the sponsorship of President Franklin D. Roosevelt with the desire to commemorate Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and the founder of the Democratic-Republican party. Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States, serving from 1801 to 1809 and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

Jefferson was a huge fan of the neoclassical architecture of ancient Greece, so it was fitting to build his memorial in the model of the Temple of the Pantheon. Climb the high marble steps, stopping for a stunning view of the White House. Then, stroll past the majestic pillars until you come across a 19-foot (six-meter) bronze statue of Jefferson. The shape of the statue, looking north toward the White House, was designed to represent the Age of Enlightenment in which Jefferson was a philosopher and statesman.

To understand Jefferson's ideals and ambitions for the country, read his inscriptions on the interior walls. Most notable are excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, but the sentences also come from many other sources, such as in his letters and memoirs. These verses cover a wide range of topics, from religious freedom for all, the need for the abolition of slavery to the need for constitutional change over time.

A number of events are held in the picturesque Tidal Basin of the National Mall throughout the year, including jazz concerts on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial and the annual Spring Cherry Blossom Festival. To relax and see the Jefferson Memorial in a unique way from the water, rent a paddleboat from Tidal Basin Paddle Boats located on Main Avenue.

The memorial is open 24 hours a day.