My all-time favorite is Abraham Lincoln, a popular
first choice for many. I LOVE Lincoln! Any Lincoln paraphernalia I snatch
up. I got loads of books on Honest Abe and finally I could enjoy a good
Lincoln movie during my lifetime, Daniel Day Lewis sure made a good Lincoln in
my opinion.
But President’s Day is about celebrating more than one
president. So with that in mind I’d also pick Teddy Roosevelt, who
seemed so different than the typical president and intrigued me with the
stories surrounding him in the history books. And of course George
Washington is typically at the top of lists for a favorite president.
As a founder of our nation, showing bravery on the battlefield, and smarts in
office, it’s hard not to respect a man who guided our nation and set a
precedent of when to step down. And finally a fourth favorite among the
44 is typically Thomas Jefferson who had an integral part in drafting
the Declaration of Independence, securing land to extend the United States’
power and creating a strong foundation for future generations to look back
on.
If you haven’t already guessed it, these are not only
four of MY favorite presidents. These four leaders of our nation have not
only secured their place in our history books, but also in a hillside.
One of my favorite monuments honoring our past presidents, carved into the side
of the Black Hills of South Dakota is Mount Rushmore. This
National Memorial is visited by nearly 3 million people a year who wish to
marvel at the astounding man-made creation carved into nature’s creation.
When you stand at the base of this gigantic memorial it is hard not to be
amazed.
"The
purpose of the memorial is to communicate the founding, expansion,
preservation, and unification of the United States with colossal statues of
Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt."
Gutzon Borglum
Gutzon Borglum
Clearly I was not the only one to think that these were
the best of the best in regards to our presidential leaders. Even back in
grade school when I visited this memorial on a family vacation I was
captivated. I'm looking forward to returning with my own family one
day. At first glance you might be thinking whoop dee doo, faces in a
hillside isn’t all the impressive. But when I said this memorial was huge
I wasn’t exaggerating. Curious about the size of the faces that grace the
hillside, here are all the measurements that make up the enormity of the
memorial.
 |
| Mount Rushmore and the Avenue of Flags |
Heads: 60 feet.
Nose: Washington’s is 21 feet the rest are approximately
20 feet.
Eyes: 11 feet wide.
Mouths: 18 feet wide
It’s not just the size that makes it impressive, although
that’s a huge part of it; it’s the history behind the construction and the men
it was dedicated to. Check out more on the National
Park website and plan a visit to Mount Rushmore to see it in person.
The photos truly don’t do it justice. You’ll enjoy learning more
about these four men, and you don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy
it. Learning about the construction, and the details and tools that went
into perfecting the memorial will interest artists, mathematicians, teachers,
kids, and touch anyone who is proud to be an American. It seems only
right that on this President’s Day we look back at four men that deserved a
spot on Mount Rushmore and honor the lasting impact they had on our
nation.
P.S. I found those bobbleheads on the National Park
website. I mean look at these things! Great gift ideas....
But I might have to treat myself and get a Lincoln, but the Teddy Roosevelt is
mighty nice too. Too many choices!
Which president will get your head bobbing?
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