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Thomas Jefferson-political philosopher, architect, musician, book collector, scientist, horticulturist, diplomat, inventor, and third President of the United States-looms large in any discussion of what Americans are as a people.
Jefferson left to the future not only ideas but also a great body of practical achievements. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial, modeled after the Pantheon of Rome, is America‘s foremost memorial to our third president.
As an original adaptation of Neoclassical architecture, it is a key landmark in the monumental core of Washington, DC. The circular, colonnaded structure in the classic style was introduced to this country by Thomas Jefferson.
Architect John Russell Pope used Jefferson‘s own architectural tastes in the design of the Memorial. Each year the Jefferson Memorial plays host to various ceremonies, including annual Memorial exercises, Easter Sunrise Services and the ever-popular Cherry Blossom Festival.
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