Dupont Circle in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Tomα G. Masaryk
National Mall and Memorial Parks
Tomα Masaryk
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
"He had the mind of a scholar, the figure of a sportsman, the bearing of an aristocrat, the position of a king. But he had the heart of a democrat. "
Dorothy Thompson, NBC broadcast, September 24, 1957
This memorial honors Tomα Garrigue Masaryk (1850-1937), founder and first president of the Republic of Czechoslovakia. Born to a family of humble origins, he achieved considerable renown as a scholar and university professor and entered into politics. During World War I he founded the Czechoslovak National Council in Paris to advocate for independence from Austria-Hungary. In support of the Allied cause, he organized the Czechoslovak Legion, an army of volunteers that fought in Russia, Italy, and France.
In 1918 Masaryk won the support of US President Woodrow Wilson for independence. With the fall of Austria-Hungary, he became the President of Czechoslovakia. He was thrice elected, holding the office until 1935. Supported by his American-born wife, Charlotte Garrigue, Masaryk was inspired by US presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and ideals o free elections, the rule of law, the separation of powers, universal suffrage, and the fundamental liberties of speech, assembly, and religion.
Memorial Facts
Sculptor Vincenc Makovsky(1937)
Click or scan to see
this page online
Materials Bronze on a granite base
Cost $757,000 (1,284,000 million in 2023 dollars)
Dedication November 2002
Completion March 8, 2003
[Caption:]
Declaration of Independence
In the background image, Masaryk reads the declaration of Czechoslovak Independence on October 26, 1918 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is October 26, 1918.
Location. 38° 54.671′ N, 77° 2.901′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Dupont Circle. It is at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue Northwest and Q Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2198 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20008, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tomα Garrigue Masaryk (a few steps from this marker); Liberation of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); The Society of the Cincinnati
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 4, 2024
2. Tomα G. Masaryk Marker with the statue visible in the background
Another marker is no longer nearby. Tomα G. Masaryk (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 229 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 4, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
