Soldiers' National Monument, Memorial sculpture in Gettysburg National Cemetery, United States.
The monument rises at the center of the cemetery with Liberty crowning the top and four marble figures at its base representing War, History, Peace, and Plenty. Eighteen bronze stars decorate the base, each standing for one of the Union states whose soldiers are buried in the cemetery.
The cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1865, shortly after the Civil War ended, with the dedication ceremony taking place four years later. Building the monument was part of efforts to honor the Battle of Gettysburg and preserve a proper tribute to the soldiers who fought there.
The monument speaks to visitors about the soldiers buried here and connects them to the people who lived through the battle. Walking around the base and observing the figures encourages reflection on themes of conflict and peace.
The monument sits in the middle of the cemetery and is easy to reach from the entrance. Wear comfortable shoes since the cemetery sits on hilly ground with many paths to explore around it.
The Liberty statue crowning the top was carved in Rome by an Italian artist and then shipped across the Atlantic to America. This international collaboration symbolized hope for peace and healing after years of destruction.
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