World War II Memorial & Rainbow Pool: The Greatest Generation

Why is it significant?

Step down into the oval granite plaza of the National World War Two Memorial and listen to the splashing jets of the Rainbow Pool.

Key Facts

Open the walk

Step down into the oval granite plaza of the National World War Two Memorial and listen to the splashing jets of the Rainbow Pool. Look around at the monumental colonnade of fifty-six granite pillars curving around the plaza: each pillar is inscribed with bronze wreaths of oak and wheat, representing the forty-eight US states, seven federal territories, and the District of Columbia united in victory in nineteen forty-five.

At opposite ends of the plaza rise two colossal forty-three-foot triumphal arches: one inscribed Atlantic and the other Pacific, celebrating the two-front global victory. Dedicated in two thousand and four, the memorial honors the sixteen million Americans who served in uniform and the millions on the home front.

Walk to the western edge and stand before the Freedom Wall. Look closely at the field of four thousand and forty-eight sculpted gold stars: each individual gold star represents one hundred American soldiers, sailors, and airmen who lost their lives in the war, honoring over four hundred thousand fallen.

Look on the back of the Pacific arch: engraved in the stone is the playful historic graffiti Kilroy Was Here, honoring the beloved talisman that American GI troops chalked on every bunker across Europe and the Pacific.

Walk east toward the towering marble obelisk of the Washington Monument.