Washington Monument

On Dec. 14, 1799, George Washington passed away, leaving several states scrambling to build a monument to honor the nation’s first president.

Over five hundred gathered for a candlelight vigil on the National Mall on the evening of July 17 in silent support of the tens of millions of Falun Gong practitioners persecuted for practicing their beliefs in China.

This weekend marks the 15th year since the persecution of Falun Gong began in China on July 20, 1999. To mark the anniversary, hundreds like Lee gathered on Thursday on the West Lawn of the Capitol.

Tourist Jesus Ruiz (L), from Toluca, Mexico, takes a picture of his wife, Claudia Ruiz, under two trees that are in full bloom near the Washington Monument on the National Mall on Oct. 18 in Washington, D.C. Foliage in the Washington area is nearing full peak with temperatures in the low 70s.