Photographer Rick Latoff / American Battle Monuments Commission. World War II Memorial Lesson

Purpose of the Memorial The memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S. during World War II, the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported the war effort from home. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people to the common defense of the nation and to the broader causes of peace and freedom from tyranny throughout the world. It will inspire future generations of Americans, deepening their appreciation of what the World War II generation accomplished in securing freedom and democracy. Above all, the memorial stands as an important symbol of American national unity, a timeless reminder of the moral strength and awesome power that can flow when a free people are at once united and bonded together in a common and just cause.

World War II Memorial: A Geometry Lesson Washington, D.C.

OPS Content Standards Math: 4-05 Identify and draw points, lines, line segments, rays, and angles. History: 4-04 Citizenship/Government Math: 4-05 Identify and draw points, lines, line segments, rays, and angles. History: 4-04 Citizenship/Government Photographer Sondra Bravo

Geometry Vocabulary DefinitionsDefinitions Geometry Vocabulary DefinitionsDefinitions  point  ray  angle  acute angle  obtuse angle  right angle  line(s)  line segments  intersecting line/segments  parallel line/segments  perpendicular line/segments  point  ray  angle  acute angle  obtuse angle  right angle  line(s)  line segments  intersecting line/segments  parallel line/segments  perpendicular line/segments

Point Stars located at the western side of the memorial recognized the sacrifice of America's WWII generation and the contribution of our allies. A field of 4,000 sculpted gold stars on the Freedom Wall commemorate the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives. During WWII, the gold star was the symbol of family sacrifice. 

Ray a figure of Liberation standing full length with head turned to left looking to the dawn of a new day, right foot resting on a war god’s helmet with the hilt of a broken sword in the right hand and the broken blade in the left hand

Acute Angle Under the southern and northern arches one finds these words encircling the medallion: “ Victory on Land Victory at Sea Victory in the Air”

Obtuse Angle A series of bas-relief sculpture panels created by sculptor Ray Kaskey is set into the balustrades of the north and south ceremonial entrance walls. The unifying theme of the panels is the transformation of America caused by the country’s total immersion in World War II.

Right Angle DESIGN COMPETITION During Stage I, approximately 400 preliminary design visions were reviewed by an Architect-Engineer (A-E) Evaluation Board. Entries were evaluated on their originality, appropriateness, feasibility, and compliance with project requirements. The board selected six design visions to compete in Stage II

Line(s) Stage II design concepts were judged by a Design Jury. Evaluation criteria in this stage included design concept, past performance, specialized experience and technical competence, professional qualifications, and capacity to accomplish the work in the required time.

Line Segment(s) Fifty-six granite pillars celebrate the unprecedented unity of the nation during WWII. Each state and territory from that period and the District of Columbia is represented by a pillar adorned with oak and wheat bronze wreaths and inscribed with its name; the pillars are arranged in the order of entry into the Union, alternating south to north across the plaza beginning adjacent to the Field of Gold Stars.

Intersecting Lines Bronze sculpted rope symbolizes the bonding of the nation.

Parallel Line/Segments This star is similar to the one used to represent mother’s who have sons in the war. The middle star was added upon the death of a son during World War II.

Perpendicular Line/Segments Two 43-foot pavilions serve as markers and entries on the north and south ends of the plaza. Bronze baldacchinos are an integral part of the pavilion design. Four bronze columns support four American eagles that hold a suspended victory laurel to memorialize the victory of the WWII generation.