I love teaching modern US history, and it’s even more meaningful when our content overlaps with my personal travel. In teaching the Korean War this week, I’m remembering my trip to a border town on the DMZ. 1) prayers left for family in the north and future reunification, 2) a train that used to travel from North to South Korea, damaged during the war, 3) looking across the river into North Korea, 4) the “no-man’s land” on the river that separates this portion of North and South Korea, 5) me, looking ridiculous in front of a photo of the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom, governed by the UN.
On day one in DC, I hit all the highlights: 1) the Capitol building, including the fleet of black SUVs out front for former British Prime Minister David Cameron, who was speaking to the Senate, 2) the replica of lady freedom who watches from atop the Capitol Dome, 3) Maria Sanford, one of two Minnesotans represented in statue form in the Capitol Visitors’ Center, 4) the crazy beautiful ceiling at the Library of Congress (one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve been in!), 5) an appropriate quote over a window at the Library of Congress, 6) the United States Supreme Court, and 7) the statue of Ben Franklin at the National Postal Museum (love me some USPS). Pro tip for visiting DC: there is a tunnel that connects the Library of Congress and the Capitol: use it to avoid going through security outside the Capitol Visitors’ Center (understandably strict, but often longer lines, in my experience!)
Going back to Boston to finish up my great weekend: 1) a memorial in front of the Massachusetts State House to the Massachusetts 54th regiment (of Glory fame, remember?!), 2) a Ben Franklin quote in the old city hall, on the former site of the nation’s oldest public school, 3) the site of the Boston Massacre, in front of the old state house, 4) the old Massachusetts State House, 5) the symbol of my people (the Scots)—a unicorn!, 6) the beautiful Boston Women’s Memorial on Commonwealth Avenue, and 7) the Memorial to famous abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison. Boston is such a great city—please go if you get the chance!
