In Podcast #23 the Trekkers take you to Washington, D.C., our nation’s capital.  Although not part of Virginia, this city is very important to our state’s economy since many Virginians commute to Washington, D.C. for work.  Join us as we take you on a quick tour of the most famous sites: the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the U.S. Supreme Court.  We’ll also take you to the Potomac River, review tides in the Tidal Basin, discover Greek and Roman influences in the architecture, stand on the same spot where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous speech, and take a ride on the Metro. Come on, let's go trekkin'! (Trouble viewing the YouTube video? Try Vimeo or direct link).

Every Spring, Washington, D.C. has a special two-week long Cherry Blossom Festival.  The first 3,000 cherry trees were a gift from Japan in 1912, and since then, many more have been planted, mostly along the Tidal Basin.  Every year, thousands of tourists come to enjoy their beauty.  People actually protested the construction of the Jefferson Memorial because some of the trees had to be cut down.  However, more cherry trees were planted, and now there are plenty for everyone to enjoy.  The fun events include a Cherry Blossom parade, a Japanese street festival, a 10-mile run, a kite-flying festival, and a huge fireworks display.  If you’d like to learn more, or even attend the festival this Spring, visit the official website. (Image credit)


Here is the path we took around Washington DC.  Click each colored marker to learn more.



This is a 360 view of the Lincoln Memorial. Take a look around!



This is a 360 view from inside the White House. Click the arrows to explore!



This is a 360 view from the top of the Washington Monument. Take a look around!


Social Studies

1.2 (2015) The student will demonstrate knowledge of Virginia history by describing important events and people in the history of the Commonwealth, including

b) famous Virginians, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who helped form a new nation; and


1.4 (2015) The student will describe the lives of people associated with major holidays, including

a) George Washington Day (Presidents’ Day);

c) Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.


1.5 (2015) The student will develop map skills by

d) locating Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, and Richmond, the capital of Virginia, on a United States map; and


1.5 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to describe contributions of Virginia’s diverse people and the stories of changemakers in the history of Virginia and their contributions to our Commonwealth, including but not limited to

c. Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe; and


1.7 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to connect geography to historical events of Virginia and the United States by

a. identifying landforms and bodies of water of Virginia and describing how they affect the way people live;

d. locating Washington, D.C., and Richmond on Virginia and United States maps


2.4 (2015) The student will describe how the contributions of selected individuals changed the lives of Americans, with emphasis on

c) Abraham Lincoln;

f) Thurgood Marshall;

j) Martin Luther King, Jr.


2.13 (2015) The student will understand the symbols and traditional practices that honor and foster patriotism in the United States of America by

a) explaining the meaning behind symbols such as the American flag, bald eagle, Washington Monument, and Statue of Liberty;


2.4 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to recognize state and national symbols, including but not limited to

a. locating the Virginia and United States capitals and Capitol buildings;

b. explaining the meaning behind symbols, including but not limited to the American flag, bald eagle, Washington Monument, Liberty Bell, and Statue of Liberty;


2.10 (2023) The student will describe the contributions and roles of changemakers in United States history, including but not limited to

a. Scholars and Inventors: Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Banneker, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Steve Jobs, Jonas Salk, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, and Mary Jackson;

c. Reformers and Champions: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, Helen Keller, Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Cesar Chavez, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sen. Daniel Inouye, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama


2.12 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to connect geography to historical landmarks and events, including but not limited to

a. Jefferson Memorial and Lincoln Memorial;


3.3 (2015) The student will explain how the contributions of ancient Greece and Rome have influenced the present world in terms of architecture, government (direct and representative democracy), and sports.


3.12 (2015) The student will recognize the importance of government in the community, Virginia, and the United States of America by

b) explaining that the basic purposes of government are to make laws, carry out laws, and decide if laws have been broken; and

c) explaining that government protects the rights and property of individuals.


3.6 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to describe the geographic, political, economic, social structures, and innovations of ancient Greece by

c. identifying and explaining direct democracy;

e. identifying and explaining the architecture and its influence in the world today.


3.7 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to describe the geographic, political, economic, social structures, and innovations of ancient Rome by

c. identifying and explaining representative democracy;

e. identifying and explaining the architecture and its influence in the world today.


3.9 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to explain the basic structure of the United States government by

c. identifying and describing the three branches of government;

d. explaining what governments do at the national, state, and local level; and

e. explaining how local, state and national governments are organized.


VS.2 (2015) The student will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between physical geography and the lives of the native peoples, past and present, of Virginia by

c) locating and identifying water features important to the early history of Virginia (Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, James River, York River, Potomac River, Rappahannock River, and Lake Drummond and the Dismal Swamp);


VS.6 (2015) The student will demonstrate an understanding of the role of Virginia in the establishment of the new American nation by

a) explaining why George Washington is called the “Father of our Country” and James Madison is called the “Father of the Constitution”;

b) identifying the ideas of George Mason, as expressed in the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and Thomas Jefferson, as expressed in the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom; and


VS.1 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to explain the relationship between physical geography and the lives of Virginia’s peoples, past and present by

c. locating, identifying, and describing the impact of Virginia’s bodies of water on its history, economy, and culture.


VS.6 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to explain the establishment and growth of the new American nation with emphasis on the role of Virginians and events in Virginia during the 18th and 19th centuries by

a. explaining the role of George Washington (“Father of Our Country”), James Madison (“Father of the Constitution), and Patrick Henry (“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech);

b. explaining the development of founding Virginia documents, including the Virginia Declaration of Rights (George Mason) and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (Thomas Jefferson);