The National Mall

As a kingless, queenless, monarch-free nation, what do we decide to put in the space that best represents us to the world? Why is the Washington Monument a giant obelisk? And while we're at it, what's the deal with Donald Trump's proposed Triumphal Arch? Today we are guided by an actual, real-life, architectural tour guide, Carolyn Muraskin of DC Tours. She walks us through the many ups and downs of DC's rich design history, along with the many controversies that surrounded what we put on the National Mall. Click here to visit our website, where we're showing photos of all the monuments discussed in this episode, and click here to hear Hannah talking about what she feels when she's at the Lincoln Memorial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices