America's Capital (1957)

[Music] this is Washington District of Columbia the capital of the United States it is a city of magnificent buildings and beautiful Parks the White House Dwelling Place of the nation's Chief ex stands as a symbol of freedom and dignity [Music] on Capitol Hill one of the most imposing structures is the Supreme Court highest seat of Justice in the United States also situated on Capitol Hill is the Library of Congress it houses America's Priceless historic documents such as the Constitution of the United States one of the most successful instruments of government ever conceive the man who presided over the Constitutional Convention lived in nearby Virginia at Mount Vernon his name was George [Music] Washington though General Washington's slaves lived happily in these quarters he provided for their freedom in his will Mount Vernon today is a public sh CRI here President Washington spent many hours Spring Washington's Monument is flanked by blossoming cherry trees a gift from the government of Japan Thomas Jefferson's Memorial author of the Declaration of Independence and the inspiring White marble edit dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln who is gratefully remembered by every American as the man who preserved the [Music] union single tragedies in American history here on April 14 1865 President Lincoln was shot by an assassin carried to this house across the way Lincoln died the following morning spanning the Broad pomac River Memorial Bridge connects Washington with nearby Arlington Virginia the great leader of the Confederate forces Robert E Lee lived in this Mansion Just across the river revered as the final resting place of America's heroic Soldiers the M of the battleship Main commor Ates her crew most sacred of the Hallowed Ground in this great National Memorial Cemetery is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in this one tomb is represented America's respect for her dead of all wars never ceasing the honor guard Paces the nation's homage in measured tread White marble Amphitheater just to the rear of the unknown soldiers tomb is filled to capacity as the annual Services begin gathered on a mission of devotion at this holiest season are the presidents cabinet members diplomatic and military leaders and the dignitaries of many foreign lands continuing our visit to Washington we see the fabulous Pentagon nerve center of the Armed Forces perhaps one of the most interes things are made the printing plates for US currency the Smithsonian Institute famous Historical Museum though the city is dedicated in large part to the memory of America's past great leaders it is also a bustling Metropolis Washington is the Hub around which revolves the political life of the United [Music] States along famous Embassy Row are found the chief representatives of every nation in the [Music] world territorial rights are exercised by Embassy the buildings and immediate property are considered to be the home soil of each [Music] Nation the Pan-American Union building is where interamerican relations are maintained religious structures of all faiths also contribute to Washington's park-like Beauty but more than this physical Grace they provide the spirit ritual guidance which has traditionally played such a vital role in the lives of America's great [Music] leaders Washington is ideally suited for educational institutions such as Georgetown University named after the first president is George Washington University in addition to her historic Beauty the City offers wonderful recreational facilities the family picnic in Rock Creek Park is a great favorite a cooling Plunge in the public swimming pools can be accomplished with a breathtaking ride down the slippery slide if one [Music] desires the Zoological Park is one of the finest in the world and during Pleasant weather thousands of visitors enjoy such sites as this polar bear ambling around his cage it is famous for its outstanding collection of rare animals and birds who can resist the monkey Antics or the great padm from India waiting for a peanut handout Great Falls on the pomac river in the early days when George Washington was noted as a surveyor he was employed to design a canal which would bypass this obstacle to [Music] navigation one of Washington's greatest attractions however is the spirit of excitement which takes over the city during its great ceremonial occasions arrivals of kings queens Premier and presidents are always a state occasion and colorful parades are the order of the day greatest of them all however is the impressive inaugural parades held every 4 years involving thousands of participants the inaugural parade signify the swearing in of the next president of the United States this then is Washington DC the nation's capital home of the government of the United States