I just knew today that Mount Rushmore is actually in South Dakota, specifically at Rapid City -- 6 hours drive from where I am now. Stefani, a new colleague of mine who hails from that city told me how beautiful and great the National Memorial is, which tells the ideals of democracy and freedom represented by the granite portraits of American Presidents Washington, Jefferson, T. Roosevelt, and Lincoln.
Honestly, the last time I saw a picture of Mount Rushmore was when I was in college many years ago while going through some book stuff. I've been asking myself why only four faces of the Presidents were carved? They certainly had reasons for that. I tried to search and found out this:
George Washington, (1st president) led the early colonists in the American Revolutionary War to win independence from Great Britain. He was the father of the new country and laid the foundation of American democracy. Because of his importance, Washington is the most prominent figure on the mountain. (1732-1799)
Thomas Jefferson, (3rd president) he was the author of the Declaration of Independence, a document which inspires democracies around the world. He also purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803 which doubled the size of our country, adding all or part of fifteen present-day states. (1743-1826)
Theodore Roosevelt, (26th president) provided leadership when America experienced rapid economic growth as it entered the 20th Century. He was instrumental in negotiating the construction of the Panama Canal, linking the east and the west. He was known as the "trust buster" for his work to end large corporate monopolies and ensure the rights of the common working man.
(1858-1919)
Abraham Lincoln, (16th president) held the nation together during its greatest trial, the Civil War. Lincoln believed his most sacred duty was the preservation of the union. It was his firm conviction that slavery must be abolished. (1809-1865).
Common factor? They brought independence and human rights to the American society.
I am planning to visit the Memorial and take pictures and then wonder of when my face would be carved too -- side by side with the other four. LOL.
Labels: Tourist Attraction
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