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Washington, District of Columbia
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In 1938, women protested the construction of the memorial by chaining themselves to cherry trees, which were to be removed for its construction.
John Russell Pope, the architect of the Jefferson Memorial, also designed the National Gallery of Art, showcasing his neoclassical style.
The original statue was made of plaster due to wartime restrictions on metals, and it was replaced with a bronze version in 1947.
The memorial is positioned so that it is directly visible from the White House, symbolizing Jefferson's influence on American democracy.
The dedication ceremony took place on April 13, 1943, marking two centuries since Thomas Jefferson's birth in 1743.
The Tidal Basin, where the memorial is located, is famous for its cherry blossoms, a gift from Japan in 1912, which bloom each spring.
The interior walls of the memorial are inscribed with excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and other significant writings by Jefferson.
Construction began in 1939 as part of a series of public works projects aimed at providing jobs during the economic downturn.
