1921Why is a statue of George Washington located in London, England?
A striking bronze statue of George Washington stands in front of the National Gallery in London, England, a symbol of reconciliation between two former adversaries. Gifted by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the statue was inaugurated on 30 June 1921 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Virginia’s founding and to foster goodwill after World War I. Uniquely, this monument is an exact replica of Jean-Antoine Houdon's 1796 original, featuring Washington in his Revolutionary uniform beside a plowshare and a bundle of fasces representing the unity of the thirteen states. As the statue marks its 104th anniversary in 2025, it remains a powerful testament to enduring peace and cooperation across the Atlantic.
