San Jacinto Monument (sanjacinto-museum.org) is the tallest monument tower in the world, standing at 567 fee in La Porte, Texas, a suburb of Houston. Located on land that once was Mexico and where the Battle of San Jacinto was fought during the Texas Revolution, the column was erected in honor of Sam Houston and residents who waged war against and triumphed over the Mexican government and General Antonio López de Santa Anna on April 21, 1836.
Aztec Ruins National Monument (nps.gov/azru) was constructed much earlier, between 1100 and 1200. Located by the Animas River in New Mexico, it was the home of the Anasazi. The ancient roads, dwellings, jewelry and artifacts give an understanding of how people once lived, prayed and dressed.
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (nps.gov/libi) is located in the Crow Indian Reservation in southeastern Montana. In 1876, the Native Americans were feverishly fighting to preserve their land and their traditional lifestyle. The U.S. government did not agree with their ideals and so began the Battle of Little Bighorn, fought on June 25 and 26, 1876. The U.S. 7th Calvary, led by Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer, and the Sioux and Cheyenne, led by Sitting Bull, fought a bloody battle won by the natives. The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument now consists of The Indian Memorial and the 7th Calgary Monument, standing together to mark their place in the Great Sioux War.
Perhaps the most famous monument in the United States, the Statue of Liberty (statueofliberty.org) has been a symbol of American freedoms and has welcomed immigrants since her dedication on Oct. 28, 1886. Set on Liberty Island, just a short ferry ride from the tip of Manhattan, thousands make the jaunt yearly to visit Lady Liberty, her museum and gift shop. Standing at 305 feet on the Hudson River, the statue can be viewed from many spots in New York City.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (nps.gov/joda) covers 14,000 acres in northeastern Oregon. More than 54 million years ago, the area was underwater and what is left now is a paleontologist's dream. Fossilized bones and leaves left behind offer a glimpse into ancient life. Since its size is massive, visitors can explore it in three parts: Sheep Rock, Clarno Unit and Painted Hills. Sheep Rock stands at 1,000 feet and has areas for picnicking and hiking in the basin. Clarno Unit was formed by volcanoes more than 44 million years ago. Painted Hills has picturesque views of surrounding knolls in hues of golds, reds, yellows and black.
Pinnacles National Monument (nps.gov/pinn) stands where a mighty volcano once rose into the sky along the San Andreas Fault in Central California. Over the years, the shift in the earth on the fault line caused the volcano to fall. The crumbled remains now make up the monument and are a reminder of the power of mother nature. Pinnacles National Monument plays a big role in preserving wildlife such as native bees, birds and bats. It is part of the California Condor Recovery Program, which helps to keep the magestic bird from extinction. Visitors can go rock climbing, hiking and explore caves.
