FIGURE 1: The National Mall in the 1980s

The National Mall in Washington, D.C. — the 2-mile-long expanse of National Park extending from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, and from the White House to the Jefferson Memorial -- is a unique symbol of our American democracy and a national gathering place for civic celebrations and demonstrations. The monuments, open spaces, and majestic vistas represent the historic legacy of the L'Enfant Plan of 1791 and the McMillan Plan of 1901-02 for the Nation's Capital.

Next: The 1791 L’Enfant Plan and the Mall