Statue of Peace

In the heart of Washington D.C., the Peace Monument stands as a silent testament to a turbulent era. The Peace Monument, also known as the Navy Monument, was originally intended for Annapolis, Maryland. Admiral David Dixon Porter envisioned it there, near the Tripoli Monument. But fate, and a strained relationship with the Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles, intervened. The Peace Monument found its home here, in Peace Circle. It silently watches the intersection of First Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Completed in 1878, the Peace Monument is a striking tableau in Carrara marble. This marble, beautiful yet delicate, has weathered the elements and the passage of time. Look upwards. You’ll see America, draped in classical robes, weeping on the shoulder of History. History holds a tablet inscribed with a poignant message: “They died that their country might live.” This is a memorial to the Union Navy’s losses during the Civil War. On the western side, Victory stands triumphant, an oak branch and laurel wreath in her hands. Below, Neptune and Mars, depicted as children, clutch their weapons. The eastern side, facing the Capitol, features Peace. She holds an olive branch. Cherubs flutter at her feet, alongside symbols of agriculture and plenty. Emblems of Science, Literature, and Art complete the scene. The Peace Monument isn’t just a static sculpture. It has been a gathering point for protests and rallies throughout history. From Vietnam War demonstrations to the aftermath of Three Mile Island, and more recently, the George Floyd protests. Even before the January 6th Capitol attack, crowds gathered here. The monument bears the marks of these events. Its marble has been chipped and stained. Yet, it endures, a poignant reminder of the cost of peace. It’s a stage for history, still being written.