Washington DC: A city built on political strife and the focal point of a nation steeped in history
America’s capital has had a more turbulent recent history than most- but it stands tall as a place which welcomes all
As far as capital cities go, few around the world have been the subject of more social and political turmoil than Washington DC. The capital of the USA has been the seat of power for one of the world’s most powerful nations for centuries, and it is the city in which many a President has had a triumphant rise and dramatic fall from office. In 2023, Washington DC is a place which keeps one eye looking forward whilst having another one firmly towards the past.
The focal point of the city is the section of its centre which sees some of the most famous structures on earth sit. From the Capitol Building, past the Washington Monument and then to the Lincoln Memorial, the history and significance of these structures needs little introduction.
It’s no secret that Washington DC is a place where political and social leaders have had some of their biggest moments. The steps of the Lincoln Memorial have hosted the inaugurations of many Presidents as well as some iconic speeches- none more so than Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech in 1963. The monument is to a man who helped to shape modern America, and who aimed to abolish slavery and unite a nation fractured by war.
Understandably, there is plenty of recognition of what Lincoln did. Washington DC has preserved both the place where President Lincoln was shot (Ford’s Theatre) and the spot where he took his last breath (The Peterson House). Both have become shrines to Lincoln’s Legacy and a reminder of the work he needed to carry out to try and create the country of the future.
A night walk around the Lincoln Memorial shows all of DC’s landmarks in a new perspective. The Reflection Pool lives up to its name and each end encapsulates either the Washington Monument or the Lincoln Memorial. As with all bustling cities, there are moments of peace. In DC, the night time and the early morning are your best efforts for that.
During a stay, I was fortunate enough to experience both. A cold, crisp Sunday morning gave the chance to take in the monuments and memorials. The winter sun gave a golden tinge to the streets and, even though it was early, the security presence which is never far from view around the White House was busy at work.
The city is one which you feel as though you’re never far away from walking in the footsteps of history. DC has had an influential sway on events around the world, but has rarely been completely out of the spot light. In more recent times, the Pentagon is a reminder of this. A moving memorial garden located outside the part of the building hit during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a chilling reminder that the horrors of the day are still barely 20 years old.
As a place which firmly keeps hold of the past in order for it not to be forgotten, DC is also home to arguably the most infamous aircraft on earth. The B-29 bomber ‘Enola Gay’ dropped the first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima in 1945, killing thousands and injuring many more.
It’s efforts brought the beginning of the end to the Second World War, but the controversial role of the plane has been debated ever since. Seeing this aircraft in the flesh is something which at least goes some way to putting into perspective the scale of what happened over that Japanese City less than 80 years ago.
The feature of historical artefacts and moments, both positive and negative, are what make this city fascinating. Knowing what you want to get out of going to DC is key in making sure you’re not left disappointed.
In DC, it feels as though every other building has some historical significance, and of course some structures have more of a backstory than others. Whether it’s the fine carved marble and granite of the Washington Monument or the twinkling water of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, DC is brimming with iconic scenes which highlight the social, political and cultural importance of this city.
