TRIVIA BITS ... MOUNT RUSHMORE

TRIVIA BITS ... MOUNT RUSHMORE

The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a colossal sculpture in the Black Hills of South Dakota, about 25 miles southwest of Rapid City. The four United States Presidents whose portraits are carved in the granite are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. These four symbolize the first 150 years of the United States and represent, respectively, the nation's independence, democratic process, leadership in world affairs, and principle of equality. Work began in 1927 under the guidance of American sculptor Gutzon Borglum and applying the skills of some 400 workers; it was completed in 1941. Each head is about 60 feet tall. The most spectacular program at Mount Rushmore is the evening lighting ceremony, held in the new amphitheater at 9:00 PM sharp