Our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. , is the main location for learning
about our national government and how it functions. At the U.S. Capitol,
children can see how our senators and congressmen craft bills that are voted
into law, or visit the U.S. Supreme Court, where visitors may watch the
justices hear and vote on cases with national implications.
However, this district also is a treasure trove of American
history. At the National Archives and Records Administration, visitors can see
the original documents that shaped the basis for the American government: the
Charters of Freedom, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the announcement
of Independence .
The Smithsonian Institution alone covers more topics than
you can assimilate in a single visit: American history, American Indian
history, air and space, arts and industries. The material is so vast it fills
19 museums and galleries, as well as the National
Zoological Park
Then there are the memorials and monuments that honor many
of our great leaders, along with the many men and women that gave their lives
in service to our country. Many of these attractions are located along the
National Mall, although several more are spread throughout the city. And, of
course, there's the White House, where the president lives and conducts
business.
Of special note: Although not based in U.S.
history, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum should be included on every
family's route. At this museum, kids will get a deeper considerate of the
persecution and murder of the Jewish people in Europe
before and during World War II.
