USS Maine National Monument facts for kids
Quick facts for kids USS Maine National Monument |
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_Monument_Columbus_Circle_NYC.JPG)
The monument in 2012
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| Year | 1912 |
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| Location | New York City, New York, United States |
| 40°46′06″N 73°58′52″W / 40.768242°N 73.981012°W | |
The USS Maine National Monument is a special outdoor monument. You can find it in New York City, at the entrance to Central Park called Merchants' Gate. This monument is located in a famous spot called Columbus Circle in Manhattan. It was built to remember the brave men who died on the USS Maine (ACR-1) ship. The ship exploded in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898. The monument was finished on September 1, 1912, and officially opened on May 30, 1913.
About the USS Maine Monument
The USS Maine Monument was designed by an architect named Harold Van Buren Magonigle. It was completed and dedicated in New York City in 1913. The monument has a tall, pointed structure called a pylon. At the bottom of the pylon, there is a beautiful fountain.
The Sculptures
Around the pylon, you can see amazing sculptures created by Attilio Piccirilli. One of the most important parts is a group of figures at the very top of the pylon. These figures are made of bronze and covered in gold, making them look shiny and special.
This group shows a figure called Columbia Triumphant. She is riding in a seashell chariot. This chariot is pulled by three hippocampi. Hippocampi are mythical creatures that look like horses with fish tails. A model named Audrey Munson helped the artist create these figures. It's interesting to know that the bronze used for these sculptures came from the actual guns of the Maine ship.
The Memorial Plaque
On the side of the monument that faces Central Park, there is a special memorial plaque. This plaque was also made from metal saved from the Maine ship. A sculptor named Charles Keck created these plaques. We don't know exactly how many were made, but you can find them in many places across the United States. A company called Jno Williams Bronze Foundry made them, and they were very well-known at the time.
See also
In Spanish: Monumento Nacional al USS Maine para niños
