Completion of Mount Rushmore Monument
October 31st, 1941
October 31st, 1941
How Long Ago?
83 years, 4 months, 15 days ago
Location
Keystone, South Dakota, United States
Category
Arts & Culture
People
- Gutzon Borglum
- Lincoln Borglum
Links & References
Tags
Completion of Mount Rushmore Monument
The iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial was completed after 14 years of dedicated labor. Sculpted by Gutzon Borglum and his team, the monument features the faces of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the project began in 1927 with the aim of attracting tourism and honoring the nation's history. Despite financial difficulties and challenges posed by the granite rock, the final completion on this day marked a significant achievement in American culture and artistry.
Took 14 years to complete the monument.
Features four U.S. presidents' faces.
Attracts millions of tourists annually.
Carved by dynamite and hand tools.
What Happened?
The sculpting employed a combination of dynamite and hand tools, allowing workers to remove vast quantities of stone in a relatively short time. Despite encountering various issues, including financial difficulties, labor disputes, and the seasonal limitations of the harsh Black Hills weather, the team persisted in their work, demonstrating remarkable ingenuity and determination. The project was further complicated by Borglum's death in 1941, but his vision was carried out by his son, Lincoln Borglum, and the team, ensuring that the monument was completed as planned. On this significant day, the project was officially declared finished, and it quickly became one of the most visited monuments in the United States.
Why Does it Matter?
The completion of Mount Rushmore not only transformed the landscape of the Black Hills but also solidified its status as a symbol of American ideals and freedoms. It stands as a testament to the vision of Gutzon Borglum and serves as a reminder of the country’s foundational figures. The monument has since drawn millions of visitors and has encouraged the development of tourism in South Dakota, contributing to the local economy and embedding cultural significance in the landscape.
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