In honor of Veteran's Day, we thought it only fitting to bring you the best attractions in the U.S. that make you proud to be an American. November 11, 1918 is remembered as the culmination of "the war to end all wars," World War I when a cease fire between the allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month and we thank all those who fought for our freedom. Let's take a moment to celebrate the iconic monuments across our country that draw visitors from far and wide.
It's not all apple pies and red, white and blue that make us proud to be an American. What U.S. icon is on your must-see list?
The Statue of Liberty - New York, NY
With a history as fascinating as the monument itself, the Statue of Liberty symbolizes democracy and international friendship. Designed to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence, sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi gifted Lady Liberty to the city of New York in 1885 to protect the harbor. With symbolism throughout the piece, the seven rays of her crown represent the seven continents and her tablet is inscribed with JULY IV MDCCLXXVI.
Mount Rushmore - Keystone, SD
A symbol of hope and freedom, Mount Rushmore plays host to almost three million visitors a year from across the country and around the world. They come to marvel at the majestic beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota and to learn about the birth, growth, development and the preservation of our country. With four of the most influential presidents of all time commemorated in stone for all to see, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln's revolutionary legend lives on in the spirit of all that visit.
The White House - Washington, DC
For more than 200 years, the White House has been more than just the home of the Presidents and their families. Throughout the world, it is recognized as the symbol of the President and of the United States. The landmark of the nation's capital began when President George Washington signed an Act of Congress in December of 1790 declaring that the federal government would reside in a district "not exceeding ten miles square...on the river Potomac." Self-guided are offered a few days a week to give visitors a peek inside the world of the administration from the Oval Office to the Blue Room.
USS Arizona Memorial - Honolulu, HI
As if you needed another reason to head to Hawaii, take a moment to pause at Pearl Harbor to remember those killed in the tragic bombing of WWII. The resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors on the USS Arizona, the submerged ship is visited by more than one million people annually and accessible only by boat.
Hoover Dam - Las Vegas, NV
Bordering Arizona and Nevada, the Hoover Dam was constructed in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River during the Great Depression. Costing over 100 lives, it was controversially named in honor of President Herbert Hoover. Located 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, close to 1,000,000 visitors a year take the tour and millions more drive across the dam.
Liberty Bell - Philadelphia, PA
Tradition tells of a chime that changed the world on July 8, 1776, with the Liberty Bell ringing out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon. The Liberty Bell gained iconic importance when abolitionists adopted it as a symbol of the end to slavery.
Empire State Building - New York, NY
The Empire State Building was named by the American Society of Civil Engineers one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The 102-story skyscraper was designed in the art deco style and for 40 years was the world's tallest building. Visit at night for one of the best views of the NYC skyline every Thursday through Saturday from 10 to 1 am with romantic city views and a live saxophonist are on the 86th Floor Observatory.