Presidents' and Memorials' Day

Saturday it was even warmer than the days before, warmer than many summer days we have had in Germany this year. We started early and first stop was at Ford’s Theatre, the place, where President Lincoln was assassinated in April 1865.Besides the theater (see pic) the visit includes the museum (it was packed and a bit narrow) and the Petersen House across the street, where Lincoln was brought to, mortally wounded, and died.

The old theater, still in use, is impressive, whereas for museums I personally liked the Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield/Illinois better. Nevertheless, Lincoln was a character, grew from very modest beginnings to one of the best politicians and speakers in the U.S. He was also the person who abolished slavery.

What would have been more adequate than to bestow honor at his Memorial afterwards? But first we stopped at the National Museum of American History (one of our favorites!), where the original flag from 1812, the Star-Spangled Banner Flag, is presented among many other interesting „Americana“, like Julia Child’s kitchen (the first famous female chef), locomotives, cars and items from different presidential families. A real family museum!

Didn’t get tickets anymore for the same day to climb on top of the Washington Memorial, therefore we walked from WWII and Korean Memorial to Martin Luther King, the latest memorial being installed. All memorials are in the same area, but pretty spread out with lots of greenery and water around and a lot of walking involved. I bet we walked several miles today.

Always a highlight is the Lincoln Memorial, a huge greek temple with Lincoln’s monumental statue inside. Really impressive! Walking in the burning sun and slowly getting tired feet, we crossed the Potomac River into Virginia and walked to Arlington Cemetery.

On this military cemetery casualties and deceased veterans from the American Civil War to nowadays are beeing buried. Main attractions is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - where the Old Guard - a honor guard unit - performs a change of guard every half hour, day and night - and the Kennedy Grave. Though the guard change ceremony is rather old-fashioned-stiff (if not almost a bit comical), the sun glasses the officers are wearing are really cool - they should sell them in the shop!