The United States’ national memorial to Americans who served in uniform and as civilians during World War II stands on the National Mall between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Designed by Friedrich St. Florian, it opened in 2004 after a long campaign in Congress and a national design competition. Its monumental layout uses 56 granite pillars and two triumphal arches to represent the states, District of Columbia, and territories linked to the wartime nation. Bas-reliefs trace the wartime experience, while the Freedom Wall’s 4,048 gold stars symbolize the dead. Despite early controversy over its location and scale, it became a major ceremonial site and one of Washington’s most visited places.