7 July Memorial facts for kids
The 7 July Memorial is a special place in Hyde Park, London. It remembers the 52 people who lost their lives in the 7 July 2005 London bombings. The memorial is on the east side of the park, near Park Lane. It is a quiet spot for people to reflect and remember.
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What the Memorial Looks Like
The memorial has 52 tall columns. They are made of strong stainless steel. Each column is about 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) high. Each one weighs around 850 kilograms (1,874 pounds).
The columns are grouped into four sections. These groups show the four places where the bombings happened. These places were Tavistock Square, Edgware Road, King's Cross, and Aldgate East tube stations.
Each column has the date, place, and time of a bombing. A separate plaque nearby lists the names of all the people who died. The design, with its many standing columns, is similar to other memorials. These include the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin.
How the Memorial Was Designed
The idea for a permanent memorial was shared in 2006. The government gave £1 million to help build it. A team of experts designed the memorial. This team included architects Carmody Groarke and engineers Arup. Landscape architects Colvin and Moggridge also helped.
A famous sculptor, Antony Gormley, gave advice. Families of the victims were also part of the discussions. The steel for the columns was made in Sheffield. Each column was cast in sand. This process made each one slightly different. They all have a rough surface.
Unveiling the Memorial
The design was approved in November 2008. The memorial was finished and shown to the public on July 7, 2009. This was exactly four years after the attacks.
Many important people attended the ceremony. These included family members of the victims. Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were there. The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, also attended. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and other leaders were present. Representatives from the emergency services were also there.
In 2010, the memorial received an award. It was one of 102 structures honored by the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Taking Care of the Memorial
Sometimes, the memorial has been damaged by graffiti. Graffiti means words or drawings written on public property.
In 2009, two weeks after it opened, someone wrote on it with a marker pen. In 2014, it was vandalized again. Slogans were stenciled in red and black. Park staff quickly removed these writings.
In 2015, there were concerns about people using the site for shelter.
Gallery
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Memorial in July 2009, five days after it was unveiled
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Memorial plaque
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Floral tribute on a pillar
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Detail on a pillar
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See also
In Spanish: Memorial del 7 de julio para niños
