Thomas Jefferson Memorial
— National Historic Landmark —
This Cornerstone was laid by Franklin Delano Roosevelt President of the United States of America
I have sworn upon the altar of God Eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man
Almighty God hath created the mind free, all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens···are a departure from the plan of the Holy Author of Our Religion···No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain, their opinions of matters of religion. I know but one code of morality for men whether acting singly or collectively.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men. We···solemnly publish and declare, that these colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent
states···and for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honour.I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind as that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.
God who gave us life gave us liberty, can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free. Establish the law for educating the common people. This it is the business of the state to effect and on a general plan.
Erected 1943 by U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker and memorial
Location. 38° 52.891′ N, 77° 2.191′ W. Marker is in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The Tidal Basin. Marker can be reached from 14th Street Southwest west of Ohio Drive Southwest, on the right when traveling west. Basin Drive is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists in West Potomac Park which is off the Potomac River on the south bank of the Tidal Basin. The cornerstone is at the top of the grand staircase at the main (north) entrance to the memorial's rotunda. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 West Basin Drive Southwest, Washington DC 20242, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Forgotten Founder (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Mason
Also see . . .
1. Quotations in the Jefferson Memorial. (Submitted on December 17, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Jefferson Memorial. (Submitted on December 17, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
3. Jefferson Memorial - Historic American Buildings Survey Record. Contains more than 100 photos and schematics for the Jefferson Memorial. (Submitted on December 23, 2012.)
Additional keywords. John Russell Pope, architect; John McShain, builder; Rudulph Evans, sculptor

“Thomas Jefferson's tombstone notes, by his own instruction, that he authored the Declaration of Independence, founded the University of Virginia, and was responsible for Virginia's Statute for Religious Freedom. But it fails to mention that this philosopher inventor, and scientist was also president of the United States. This does not mean that his administration lacked significance. During Jefferson's presidency, the nation acquired from France the vast wilderness known as the Louisiana Purchase and successfully stood its ground against extortion attempts from Barbary Coast pirates in the Mediterranean. These early successes, however, paled in comparison to the wrath later heaped on Jefferson in the wake of the economically disastrous trade embargo he imposed in response to British and French interference with U. S. shipping. A beleaguered Jefferson ended his presidency by calling it a best-forgotton ‘splendid misery.’
Gilbert Stuart was not only early America's most admired portraitist but also an eccentric known for procrastinating. After sitting for this portrait in 1805, Jefferson had to wait sixteen years before it was finally delivered. ” — National Portrait Gallery
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 846 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on May 25, 2015, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 16, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on December 17, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 10. submitted on December 23, 2012. 11. submitted on May 26, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 12. submitted on December 23, 2012. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.