Mall Moments from our Nation’s past
By exploring lesser-known National Mall moments, stories and historical figures, we can better understand just how our Nation and collective identity was shaped. Read on to learn about the moments you might not find in textbooks.
Marian Anderson
In 1939, after not being allowed to sing in Constitution Hall due to segregation, contralto Anderson sung to a crowd from the Lincoln Memorial steps.
The AIDS Memorial Quilt
The largest community arts project in history, the iconic quilt was first displayed on the Mall in 1987 during the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
Cherry Tree Rebellion
In 1938, furious Washingtonians chained themselves to cherry trees to stop the Jefferson Memorial—sparking the “Cherry Tree Rebellion.”
Piccirilli Brothers: The Story behind the Statue
Big monuments take big talent – meet the Piccirilli Brothers, the master stone carvers behind the Lincoln Memorial statue.
The National Mall as a Civic Stage
Watch this video to see how the National Mall serves as a civic stage for our nation.
What is the National Mall?
Watch this video to learn the how the National Mall began and what it has become.
The Bridge Builder: Archie Alexander
Archie Alexander, a pioneering African American engineer, built the Kutz Memorial Bridge and many other projects that symbolized both physical progress and the building of bridges across communities.
National Mall Squirrels
When you visit the National Mall, one of the locals you will see around the most are the squirrels! But how did we get here? What can we learn about the Mall's landscape from our rodent neighbors?
First Air Mail Marker
The Flight That Changed Mail Forever—And the Hidden Marker on the National Mall.
FDR Memorial Completion
The Statue That Was Added: How Public Pressure added to the FDR Memorial story
From the Archives: Baseball on the National Mall
For generations, the National Mall has doubled as both a civic stage and a place for play. Baseball has been part of that story since the inception of the sport. These archival photographs capture moments when ordinary everyday recreation unfolded in an extraordinary national setting—revealing how public space, culture, and the game itself have evolved together.
Gabby Street and the Monumental Catch
What if a baseball fell from the top of the Washington Monument? In 1908, Charles “Gabby” Street was brave enough to try to catch it.
Blossom Kite Festival
As cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, people of all ages come together on the National Mall to fill the sky with kites—and the air with tradition, play, and wonder; this year the the Blossom Kite Festival will be on March 28, 2026.
Semiquincentennial Map
A National Mall map for the country to celebrate the 250th!
'Tempo' Buildings: When the Mall was Covered in Office Buildings
For most of the 20th century, the Mall was covered in massive "temporary" office buildings; in this high school-level article, learn about how the Mall has been used as a more utilitarian space throughout history.
'Tempo' Buildings: When the Mall was Covered in Office Buildings
Between 1918 and 1970, massive "temporary" buildings covered most of the Mall! In this middle school-level article, learn about how the Mall has been used other than as park space.
From the Archives: Flyovers on the Mall
Over the last century, aircraft have become increasingly more common in celebratory events as flyovers; whether at the Nationals game nearby, a parade on the Mall, or it is otherwise a holiday, one of the more common sights you will see on the Mall will be the roar of plane and helicopter engines!
How did the Bicentennial change the National Mall?
Throughout 2026, we and the rest of the country have celebrated and commemorated America's 250th birthday. But how did the Mall change fifty years ago during the bicentennial?
Girl Scout Teahouse on Hains Point
Did You Know? The Girl Scouts once operated a teahouse on Hains Point. The popular destination served refreshments for a new kind of visitor to the nation's capital: people traveling by automobile.
Do your part! Spotted lanternflies on the Mall
I’m doing my part! Are you doing yours?
Shovels in the Ground: Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial
As you read this, a new memorial is being built at the National Mall.
A Monumental Difference: Student Advocacy and the Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial commemorates the sixteenth president and a national story, yet its significance extends well beyond Lincoln's legacy. Here is one story of how student voice shaped the design of a national memorial.
We Want More History! on the National Mall
A national weekend of history, on America's Front Yard! Come join us on 09/26 for walking and biking tours celebrating 19th-century Washington DC’s canal history, then on 09/27 for some fun *free!* activities and (also free!) swag on the Mall!