s. history us history us history - Embassy of the United States

The faces of four of the most admired American presidents werecarved by Gutzon Borglum into the southeast face of MountRushmore in South Dakota, beginning in 1927. From left to right,they are: George Washington, commander of the RevolutionaryArmy and first president of the young nation; Thomas Jefferson,author of the Declaration of Independence; Theodore Roosevelt,who led the country toward progressive reforms and a strongforeign policy; and Abraham Lincoln, who led the country throughthe Civil War and freed the slaves.George Washington’s beloved home, Mount Vernon,by the Potomac River in Virginia, where he died onDecember 14, 1799, and is buried along with his wifeMartha. Among other treasured items owned by thefirst president on display there, visitors can see one ofthe keys to the Bastille, a gift to Washington from theMarquis de Lafayette.170 171