Chronology

The National WWII Memorial Chronology

In 1993, Congress passed legislation authorizing the construction of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., or its immediate surroundings. President Clinton signed this legislation into law on May 25, 1993. The responsibility for designing and constructing the Memorial was entrusted to the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), an independent federal agency established by law in 1923. Over the subsequent years, extensive planning and coordination took place to create a fitting tribute to the millions of Americans who served during World War II and to commemorate the nation's collective contribution to the war effort. Finally, on May 29, 2004, the Memorial was formally dedicated, serving as a poignant reminder of the bravery, sacrifice, and resilience of those who served in the American armed services during World War II and honoring the entire nation's commitment to the cause. The following chronology highlights key events in the history of the project.

President Clinton looks at WWII Memorial Model

Timeline of Key Events

December 10, 1987

Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) introduces legislation to authorize establishing a Memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs. Similar legislation was introduced in 1989, 1991 and 1993.

May 25, 1993

President Clinton signs Public Law 103-32 authorizing the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a World War II Memorial in the District or its environs.

September 30, 1994

The President appoints a 12-member Memorial Advisory Board (MAB), as authorized in Public Law 103-32, to advise the ABMC in site selection and design, and to promote donations to support Memorial construction.

October 6-7, 1994

The House and Senate pass Joint Resolution 227 approving location of the World War II Memorial in the Capital’s monumental core area because of its lasting historic significance to the nation. The President signed the resolution into law on October 25th.

January 20, 1995

ABMC and MAB hold their first joint site selection session attended by representatives of the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), the National Capital Memorial Commission (NCMC), the National Park Service (NPS), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Seven potential sites are visited.

March 2, 1995

The ABMC and MAB unanimously select the Constitution Gardens site as the most appropriate one out of the six alternatives.

May 9 & June 20, 1995

The NCMC holds public hearings on the site for the World War II Memorial with consideration given to both the Constitution Gardens site and the Capitol Reflecting Pool site on Third Street.

July 27, 1995

The CFA concludes after a public hearing that the Constitution Gardens site would not be commensurate with the historical significance of World War II, and requests that further consideration be given to the Capitol Reflecting Pool and Freedom Plaza along with a new alternative, the traffic circle on Columbia Island on the Lincoln Memorial-Arlington Cemetery axis. The Rainbow Pool is discussed as a possible alternative site.

August 6, 1995

The ABMC proposes to the chairmen of the CFA, NCPC and NPS that the Rainbow Pool site with space on both sides of the pool be studied as a replacement for the Constitution Gardens site.

September 19, 1995

In a public meeting, the CFA unanimously approves the Rainbow Pool site with the understanding that design guidelines be developed in consultation with them.

October 5, 1995

During a public meeting, the NCPC approves the Rainbow Pool site on the condition that the Mall’s east-west vista formed by the elm trees bordering the Reflecting Pool would be preserved.

November 11, 1995

President Clinton dedicates the Memorial site in a formal ceremony that concludes the 50th Anniversary of World War II commemorations. A plaque marks the site as the future location of the World War II Memorial.

April 19, 1996

The ABMC and General Services Administration (GSA), acting as agent for the ABMC, announce a two-stage open design competition for the Memorial that closed on Aug 12th.

August 15-16, 1996

Four hundred and four entries are reviewed by a distinguished Evaluation Board that selects six competition finalists. The second stage competition closes on Oct 25th.

October 29, 1996

A Design Jury composed of distinguished architects, landscape architects, architectural critics and WWII veterans review the designs of the six finalists.

October 30-31, 1996

The Evaluation Board evaluates finalist design submissions and interviews the six design teams. Both the Design Jury and the Evaluation Board, independently of each other, recommend unanimously that the Leo A. Daly team with Friedrich St. Florian as design architect be selected. ABMC approves the recommendation on Nov 20th.

January 17, 1997

President Clinton announces St. Florian’s winning Memorial design during a White House ceremony.

March 19, 1997

Senator Bob Dole is named National Chairman of the Memorial campaign.

July 24, 1997

In a public hearing, the CFA approves many elements of the design concept, but voices strong concern over the mass and scale and the interior space of the concept as presented. The CFA requests that the design be given further study and resubmitted at a later date, but unanimously reaffirms the Rainbow Pool site.

July 31, 1997

In a public hearing, the NCPC reaffirms its approval of the Rainbow Pool site, but requests design modifications and an analysis of various environmental considerations prior to the commission’s further action on a revised design concept.

August 19, 1997

ABMC announces that Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Federal Express Corporation, will team with Senator Dole as National Co-Chairman of the World War II Memorial Campaign.

April 7, 1998

ABMC approves the recommendation of its Site and Design Committee that St. Florian’s revised design concept be forwarded to the CFA, the NCPC and the District of Columbia’s Historic Preservation Office for their action.

May 21, 1998

In a public hearing, the CFA approves the revised design concept.

July 9, 1998

In a public hearing, the NCPC approves the revised design concept.

April 21, 1999

ABMC approves the recommendation of its Site and Design Committee that St. Florian’s preliminary design be forwarded to the CFA and NCPC for their action.

May 20, 1999

In a public hearing, the CFA approves the Memorial’s preliminary design

June 3, 1999

In a public hearing, the NCPC approves the Memorial’s preliminary design

July 20, 2000

In a public hearing, the CFA approves the Memorial’s final architectural design.

September 21, 2000

In a public hearing, the NCPC approves the Memorial’s final architectural design.

November 11, 2000

A groundbreaking ceremony attended by 15,000 people is held at the Memorial’s Rainbow Pool site.

November 16, 2000

In a public hearing, the CFA approves several ancillary elements of the Memorial: an information pavilion, a comfort station, an access road and a contemplative area.

December 14, 2000

In a public hearing, the NCPC approves several ancillary elements of the Memorial: an information pavilion, a comfort station, an access road and a contemplative area.

January 23, 2001

Construction permit issued by the NPS.

May 21-22, 2001

The House and Senate pass legislation directing that the Memorial be constructed expeditiously at the dedicated Rainbow Pool site on the National Mall in a manner consistent with previous approvals and permits. President Bush signed the legislation into law (Public Law 107-11) on Memorial Day, May 28th.

June 7, 2001

The General Services Administration, acting as agent for the ABMC, awards a $56 million construction contract to the joint venture of Tompkins Builders and Grunley-Walsh Construction.

June 21, 2001

In a public hearing, the CFA approves the granite selections for the Memorial.

July 3, 2001

In a public hearing, the NCPC approves the granite selections for the Memorial.

August 27, 2001

Tompkins/Grunley-Walsh begin site preparation work at the Memorial’s Rainbow Pool site on the National Mall. Construction begins one week later.

March 21, 2002

In a public hearing, the CFA approves designs for flagpoles and announcement piers at the ceremonial entrance, and artistic enhancements to the field of gold stars. A proposed announcement stone design was not approved.

April 4, 2002

In a public hearing, the NCPC approves designs for flagpoles and announcement piers at the ceremonial entrance and an announcement stone at the east Memorial plaza, and artistic enhancements to the field of gold stars.

July 18, 2002

In a public hearing, the CFA approves concepts for 24 bas-relief sculpture panels, and requests that the announcement stone be designed for the ceremonial entrance of the Memorial rather than the proposed location on the plaza.

October 17, 2002

In a public hearing, the CFA approves the redesigned announcement stone at the ceremonial entrance, and endorses the thematic content of proposed inscriptions but recommends minor adjustments in their presentation.

November 21, 2002

In a public hearing, the CFA approves inscriptions for the Memorial.

April 22, 2003

In a public hearing, the CFA approves inscriptions for the Memorial.

April 29, 2004

The National World War II Memorial opens to the public.

May 29, 2004

The National World War II Memorial is formally dedicated in a ceremony that draws 150,000 people.

November 1, 2004

The Memorial becomes part of the National Park System when it is transferred from the ABMC to the NPS, which assumes responsibility for its operations and maintenance.

February 14, 2007

Friends of the National World War II Memorial (Friends) is incorporated.

September 29, 2007

Friends sponsors a “Tribute to World War II Veterans” on the National Mall, featuring documentarian Ken Burns, in partnership with WETA and Freedom Team Salute. The event coincides with Mr. Burns’ release of his documentary series, “The War.”

November 11, 2007

Friends hosts the first Veterans Day observance at the World War II Memorial.

May 26, 2008

Friends hosts the first Memorial Day observance at the World War II Memorial.

April 20, 2009

Friends enters into a cooperative partnership with the National Park Service (NPS). Friends takes on the lead responsibility in planning, staging, and funding major national commemorative events at the World War II Memorial on V-E Day, Memorial Day, V-J, Veterans Day, and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Summer, 2011

Friends introduces the annual World War II Memorial Concert Series, sponsoring free public performances of military bands at the Memorial from April through October.

November, 2013

Friends launches the Haydn Williams WWII Memorial Legacy Lecture, an annual public lecture series that features preeminent historians and others speaking on the lasting significance and impact of World War II on America and the world.

May 24, 2014

Friends and NPS co-host the National World War II Memorial 10th Anniversary Commemoration.

July 20-22, 2016

Friends launches annual summer teachers conference in Washington, DC.

December 7 2016 -
September 2, 2020

Friends launches four-year WWII 75th Anniversary Commemoration.

September 2020

In September 2020, Friends received a generous gift from the Lilly Endowment to advance the project to restore the Circle of Remembrance and to add FDR’s D-Day Prayer to the World War II Memorial grounds. Support from the Lilly Endowment is vital to the achievement of these important goals.

Lilly Foundation logo

October 17, 2020

On October 17, 2020, Friends held its first Monthly Virtual Education Conference. Made possible through a Department of Defense grant, this conference series occurs on the third Saturday of each month from October-March. Each installment features presentations from educators, veterans, orphans, authors, and scholars.

February 14, 2021

On February 14, 2021, Friends presented the first Brigadier General Charles E. McGee UNITY Award to Robin Roberts. The UNITY Award, named in honor of Tuskegee Airman Charles E. McGee, is presented to an individual or group that exemplifies the spirit of unity and shared values that were prevalent during World War II, when Americans were at their very best and most unified in the fight against authoritarianism, fascism, and racism.

Robin Roberts

June 6, 2022

On June 6, 2022, Friends anticipates the official opening of the restored Circle of Remembrance and the FDR D-Day Prayer at the World War II Memorial. This marks the successful end of a long campaign to make these important additions as initiated by Congress and President Barack Obama.

FDR Payer addition at WWII Memorial

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