Feldman analysts is artistic portrayals of the American Revolution and civil war. She talks about the influence of paintings, sculptures, in memorials on how history is remembered. The Smithsonian Associates host to this event. Today we are going to look at the American Revolution and civil war, in particular, but a little beyond that. Controversies about the stories we tell. I am going to focus, because it is impossible to cover such an amount of material in one top. Im going to focus in particular on the nations capital, and the public buildings on the mall, which is after all, the centerpiece of american political culture, and our public culture, where people come from all around the world, and the country to participate in government, to learn about government, to understand our heritage. So i thought what is it we say to those people when they come to washington . What have been some of the controversies . What are some of the issues we should be aware of . And what is missing . S
Where he also had figures such as this but in his case, its peace rielding in ayuchlful chariot. You can see the peace in the center. The partially nude female figure crowned riding the four horses and golden victory figures off to each side. Well, this is what mills had in mind for George Washington. They were thinking of it for George Washington that transposed him from the human, from the everyday, from a general to now a super human almost godlike figure. And so when construction, which had been halted on the Washington Monument for about 20 years in the 1860s and 70s, when construction was started up again, the engineer, thomas casey, who really loved modern inventions, elevators, electric lights, decided no were not going to put that temple at the bottom. He wanted the Washington Monument to stay that would represent america. Moving forward into the 20th century. And so he now saw it as a sleek monument of american ingenuity. So it was his decision, essentially, not to create the
In the castro, the shells carry costumes and party favors which are unusually full so close to halloween, a sign of the pandemic. s budget would be walltowall people in here. The costumes would be obliterated, we would be lucky to have makeup left on the shelves. Reporter owner terry Austin Bennett tells me she sold only 40 percent of what is normal for halloween. She says this holiday has a special meaning. Her greatgrandfather found of the castro hollowing parade in 1948. It is a source of pride, a source of fun. We get excited and energized by halloween. Reporter it began as a way to celebrate with neighborhood children, and eventually became a party for adults who came from all over the country and beyond. But, this year, city leaders are encouraging people to stay away. Due to the pandemic. This is not the year for a street party. Its not even the year to hang out with a bunch of your friends on the sidewalk. Like, this is a tough year. Reporter supervisor rafael mendham and is as
Complicated and controversial building of a memorial to president James Garfield on the u. S. Capitol grounds. Well hear from Matthew Gilmore who edits a washington, d. C. History blog. Those of you probably know matt by name, if not in person. He runs a blog, the matthew b. Gilmore press blog and also hes an author of the column of the intowner. If you follow d. C. History, hes been integrally involved. Anything history in d. C. Oh, you also run the d. C. History list. Thank you for that on behalf of the city. Today hes going to talk about James Garfield, his death and efforts to commemorate his life and death here in washington, d. C. I wont say too much more about it. I dont want to steal his steam. Please join me in welcoming matt. [ applause ] thank you very much. The story im going to tell might be ripped from todays or recent headlines. There was a president ial memorial delayed for years caught up in congressional infighting. Legislation pending. A powerful lobby behind the mem
The most intelligent president s we have ever had. I mean, he is up there in the top half dozen. And when we go through his life, by the end of it, or the middle of it, youre going to start laughing because youre just going to say no, that cant be, he cant be that good in that field, its just not possible. And then well find something else. And youre going to say, no, he is just incredibly bright. And the hope for his presidency was enormous. And so were going to discuss an absolutely brilliant human being. I was chatting with a friend before. And he asked me if i thought garfield was the most intelligent. Its i dont know how you test Something Like that. Its not as if you give president s iq tests. Its a lot easier with things that are easy to measure. Tall and short. I mean, we all know that madison was our shortest president , lincoln was our tallest president. Thats easy. I dont know how you know who the most intelligent. Certainly the two adams, jefferson, madison, lincoln. Garfie