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Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a massive granite sculpture located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It features the carved faces of four influential U.S. presidents: **George Washington**, **Thomas Jefferson**, **Theodore Roosevelt**, and **Abraham Lincoln**.
The monument symbolizes the **birth**, **growth**, **development**, and **preservation** of the United States.
History
- Sculpted by **Gutzon Borglum** between 1927 and 1941
- Chosen to represent key ideals and leadership in American history
- Originally intended to include the presidents’ full torsos, but funding limited the project
The Four Presidents
- George Washington – first president and the “father of the country”
- Thomas Jefferson – author of the Declaration of Independence and promoter of westward expansion
- Theodore Roosevelt – symbol of progressive reform and the construction of the Panama Canal
- Abraham Lincoln – preserved the Union during the Civil War and abolished slavery
Construction Facts
- Took 14 years to complete
- Over 400 workers contributed, using dynamite and fine carving tools
- Each face is approximately 60 feet tall
Controversy and Cultural Significance
- Built on land sacred to the Lakota Sioux, originally part of the Great Sioux Reservation
- Nearby Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing Native American response and tribute to indigenous heritage
Visitor Information
- Located near the town of Keystone, South Dakota
- Includes a visitor center, museum, and the Presidential Trail
- Annual events include patriotic ceremonies and night-time lighting
Fun Facts
- Mount Rushmore is sometimes called the “Shrine of Democracy”
- It attracts over 2 million visitors each year
- A hidden chamber called the Hall of Records exists behind Lincoln’s head (not open to the public)