Thomas Jefferson’s 263rd Birthday - This Friday
As the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and a strong supporter of the separation of church ands state, Thomas Jefferson’s impact on the budding nation is still felt today. By supporting the Louisiana Purchase and the exploration of the western frontier from the Midwest to the “Great South Sea (Pacific Ocean) by Lewis and Clark, he also helped the country expand westward.
The Declaration of Independence is Jefferson’s and probably the nation’s most important document. Considered a great writer and intellectual, he was nominated to write the initial draft, but ended up writing all the drafts, revisions and the final declaration.
During his public life, he served in the Continental Congress, was a Virginia state legislator as well as Governor of Virginia. His duties also included acting as the Minister to France, the Secretary of State, Vice President, and ultimately, the third President.
His contributions included founding the University of Virginia, and designing the Virginia State Capitol building. To assist the Senate, he authored and published A Manual of Parliamentary Practice which is still in use today.
One of Jefferson’s more famous quote is “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
Oddly, he died on July 4th, on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1826.
If the cherry blossoms in full bloom aren’t enough reason to get you to visit the Mall, perhaps paying tribute to one of our most important founding fathers will be a good incentive.
At noon on Friday, April 13th, at the Jefferson Memorial there will be a wreath-laying ceremony. The Memorial was originally dedicated in 1943 on the 200th anniversary of his birthday.
Thomas Jefferson’s 263rd Birthday Wreath-Laying Ceremony
Jefferson Memorial
East Basin Drive at near 14th Street, NW at the south bank of the Tidal Basin
Washington, DC
Tickets - no tickets are needed for the ceremony or addmission to the memorial
Hours – open 24 hours-a-day.
Nearest Metro subway station – Smithsonian - Blue and Orange lines, then about a 1 mile walk.
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