We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

In the United States, what is a National Memorial?

By Jason C. Chavis
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,239
Share

In the United States, a National Memorial is a facility or area designated as protected by the laws of the federal government. Every US National Memorial is dedicated to the memory of a person or event with some sort of historic importance to the people, government or military of the country. In order for something to be named as a National Memorial, it must have relevance that transcends a single state or group of people and have social significance on a nationwide scale. Locations featuring a historic person or historic event to a single area are generally selected and maintained by a state rather than the federal government. Each is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

All US National Memorials are considered property of the American people, rather than an individual or business. Nearly all these locations are overseen by the National Park Service, although some are managed by organizations dedicated to the preservation of the subject's memory. Most are free to the public or accept small donations, making them popular tourist attractions for Americans and foreign visitors alike. The cost of maintaining these monuments and memorials generally comes from taxpayer dollars.

In order to be selected as a National Memorial, the site must be approved by the United States Congress. There are 44 different monuments and locations that have been dedicated over the years. Sometimes these memorials are planned, with the government building a monument to pay homage to a person or situation. Other times, these sites are simply selected after a tragedy or nation-changing occurrence, often at the actual location of the event. While memorials are located all across the country, including one in the territory of the Northern Mariana Islands, 14 are found in the District of Columbia, the nation's capitol. Most of these are located on the National Mall, an open-air park in downtown Washington.

Many National Monuments are named after famous people in US history, such as the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Others are dedicated to tragedies in impacting the US such as the Oklahoma city bombing and Flight 93, the plane that crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania on 11 September 2001. Still others represent military conflicts like as World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/in-the-united-states-what-is-a-national-memorial.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.