Titanic Memorial (Washington, D.C.) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Titanic Memorial
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Titanic Memorial in 2019
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 Location in Washington, D.C.
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| Location | Fourth and P Sts., SW, Washington, D.C. |
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| Nearest city | Washington, D.C. |
| Built | 1931 |
| Architect | Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and John Horrigan |
| Architectural style | Classical statue |
| MPS | Memorials in Washington, D.C. |
| NRHP reference No. | 07001060 |
| Added to NRHP | October 12, 2007 |
The Titanic Memorial is a special statue in Washington, D.C.. It honors the brave men who lost their lives when the RMS ''Titanic'' sank. These men made sure that women and children could get to safety first.
The statue is very tall, about thirteen feet high. It shows a male figure with his arms stretched out. He stands on a square base. The statue was built by a group called the Women's Titanic Memorial Association.
The memorial is located in Washington Channel Park. You can find it at Fourth and P streets, SW. It's right next to the Washington Channel and Fort Lesley J. McNair.
Contents
Designing and Building the Memorial
The Titanic Memorial was designed by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. She won a competition to create the statue. The actual sculpting was done by John Horrigan.
The statue was carved from a single piece of red granite. This special stone came from Westerly, Rhode Island. The memorial was officially shown to the public on May 26, 1931. Helen Herron Taft, who was the wife of former President Taft, helped unveil it.
Where the Memorial Has Been
The memorial was not always in its current spot. It was first placed in Rock Creek Park in 1931. This was near the Potomac River.
In 1966, the statue was moved. This was to make room for the Kennedy Center. The memorial was put into storage for a short time. Then, in 1968, it was moved to its current home. It was placed there without a big ceremony.
A Copy in France
A smaller copy of the memorial's head was made. It was carved from marble. The government of France bought this copy. They showed it in Paris in 1921. Today, this marble head is kept in the Musée du Luxembourg in France.
What the Memorial Says
The memorial has important words carved into its stone. These words help us remember why it was built.
Front Inscription
The front of the memorial says: TO THE BRAVE MEN WHO PERISHED IN THE TITANIC APRIL 15 1912 THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES THAT WOMEN AND CHILDREN MIGHT BE SAVED
ERECTED BY THE WOMEN OF AMERICA
Back Inscription
The back of the memorial says: TO THE YOUNG AND THE OLD THE RICH AND THE POOR THE IGNORANT AND THE LEARNED ALL WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES NOBLY TO SAVE WOMEN AND CHILDREN
See also
In Spanish: Women's Titanic Memorial para niños
