district of columbia

1815Who was the creator of the first self-balanced rampant equestrian statue in the world and what was the first bronze statue cast in the United States?

In Lafayette Park, directly across from the White House, stands the world’s first self-balanced rampant equestrian statue, created by American sculptor Clark Mills to honor Major General Andrew Jackson. This groundbreaking memorial, unveiled on January 8, 1853, not only became a national icon but also marked the first bronze statue ever cast in the United States. Mills, a self-taught artist who had never before seen such a statue or even his subject, built his own foundry and completed the colossal 15-ton monument using innovative techniques learned through trial and error. The statue’s dramatic design—a rearing horse supporting its immense weight without hidden structural supports—remains a marvel of both art and engineering, drawing crowds and inspiring replicas in cities like New Orleans, Nashville, and Jacksonville.

1939What were the casualties of the Second World War?

Canada’s entry into the Second World War began on 10 September 1939, marking its commitment to the Allied cause. By 1945, more than 45,000 Canadians had made the ultimate sacrifice, part of an estimated 70 million lives lost worldwide during the conflict. The National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated on 29 May 2004 by President George W. Bush, stands as a testament to the 16 million Americans who served and the 400,000 who died. Built at a cost of $182 million nearly six decades after the war ended, it remains one of the most significant tributes to those who shaped history.