Jefferson Memorial
The Jefferson Memorial, dedicated on April 13, 1943, commemorates Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. Its construction began in December 1938, and the memorial features a prominent nineteen-foot statue of Jefferson, created by sculptor Rudolph Evans. Notably, the dedication occurred during World War II, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt emphasizing the memorial as "a shrine of freedom" and linking its significance to the ongoing struggle for liberty. The bronze statue was not installed until 1947, following the war's conclusion, as the initial version was made from plaster and painted to resemble bronze. The Jefferson Memorial stands as a symbol of ideals such as self-sacrifice and the pursuit of freedom, contributing to the historic landscape of Washington, D.C., alongside other significant memorials dedicated to prominent American figures. It serves as a reflection on Jefferson's legacy and the values he championed, inviting diverse perspectives on his contributions and the complexities of his life.
Jefferson Memorial
Identification Presidential memorial
Date Dedicated on April 13, 1943
Place Washington, D.C.
The dedication of the Jefferson Memorial served as a rallying point for patriotism and national purpose during World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s address at the dedication ceremony made clear connections between the ideals of Thomas Jefferson and the war currently taking place.
The Jefferson Memorial was dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 13, 1943, the two hundredth anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s birth. Construction had begun in December of 1938. Since the dedication of the memorial took place during the midst of World War II, extensive security was in place for the event. Members of the Secret Service as well as military and local police lined the route taken by the president to the dedication site. In his dedication address, the president referred to the memorial as “a shrine of freedom” and made frequent references to the war currently being waged to preserve freedom. The large, nineteen-foot statue of Jefferson by sculptor Rudulph Evans, planned for the interior of the memorial, was originally cast in plaster and painted with bronze-colored paint. The final bronze version was not put in place until 1947, two years after the war ended.
Impact
President Roosevelt used the dedication of the Jefferson Memorial in 1943 to promote the wartime ideals of struggle and self-sacrifice in the pursuit and preservation of freedom. The memorial continues to symbolize these values and remains an important part of the Washington landscape, along with the memorials to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Roosevelt himself.
Bibliography
Goode, James M. Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation’s Capital. Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008.
Shalett, Sidney. “Roosevelt, Hailing Jefferson, Looks to Gain in Liberty.” The New York Times, April 14, 1943, pp. 1, 16.