Question
Here is the question : THE JEFFERSON MEMORIAL SITE WAS ORIGINALLY SET TO HONOR WHAT PRESIDENT?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- John Adams
- James K. Polk
- Benjamin Harrison
- Theodore Roosevelt
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
The Jefferson Memorial was built on what was formerly a popular beach in Washington, DC, which was shut down in the year 1925. Following the decision to close the beach, there was a contest to select the winning architect for the future monument that will be dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt. However, in the end, the proposal was not successful, and in 1934, FDR made a request that instead of a monument honoring Jefferson, a monument dedicated to Jefferson be built on the site.
The Jefferson Memorial, one of the most iconic landmarks in Washington, D.C., was built to honor the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. But the site where the memorial now stands was originally intended to honor another president: Theodore Roosevelt.
In the early 20th century, there was a growing movement to honor Theodore Roosevelt, who was seen as a larger-than-life figure and one of the most popular and influential presidents in American history. In 1921, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution authorizing the creation of a memorial to Roosevelt in the nation’s capital.
The original plan was to locate the Roosevelt memorial on the banks of the Potomac River, near the Lincoln Memorial. But when the site was surveyed, it was found to be unsuitable due to the unstable ground and the risk of flooding. As a result, a new site was selected on the Tidal Basin, near the newly constructed Jefferson Memorial.
The design for the Roosevelt memorial was commissioned from architect John Russell Pope, who had previously designed the National Archives and the Jefferson Memorial. Pope’s design called for a massive colonnade, flanked by two monumental sculptures of Roosevelt on horseback.
However, the project was beset by delays and funding issues, and by the time construction began in 1939, World War II had broken out, diverting resources and attention away from the memorial. As a result, the project languished for years, and the site remained empty and neglected.
In the meantime, there was growing interest in honoring Thomas Jefferson, who was seen as a founding father and a champion of democracy and individual rights. In 1934, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts recommended that a memorial to Jefferson be built on the same site as the Roosevelt memorial.
The decision to honor Jefferson rather than Roosevelt was controversial at the time, but it ultimately proved to be a wise choice. The Jefferson Memorial, designed by John Russell Pope and completed in 1943, is now one of the most beloved and iconic landmarks in Washington, D.C. It serves as a powerful reminder of Jefferson’s legacy and his enduring contributions to American democracy and freedom.
While the Roosevelt memorial was never built, the site remains an important part of Washington, D.C.’s cultural and historical landscape. It is a testament to the complex and ever-evolving process of memorialization, and a reminder of the many figures who have shaped the course of American history.