Poseidon was the brother of Zeus and Hades, and one of the primary deities in the Olympian pantheon. He had a place with the other gods atop Mt. Olympus, but he mainly stayed within his domain in the seas, where he was said to live in palaces under the water. Although today he is most recognized as a god of the sea, Poseidon also possessed a close association with the earth. 8th century BCE poet Hesiod starts his Theogony with an invocation to the Muses, and he mentions Poseidon as “he who shakes the earth and holds it.” He is also closely associated with horses, and much of his iconography shows him riding a chariot.   He was worshipped throughout the Greek world and his temples were commonly found near bodies of water. The most important sites of worship were in Corinth, where the Isthmian Games that were dedicated to the god took place; Helike in Achaea, and Onchestos in Boeotia.   1. Birth of Poseidon Neptune (Poseidon) with Dolphin, by Italian artist Bernini, c. 17th century. Source: J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles   Poseidon was born to the Titan gods Kronos and Rhea and was one of six children. Like all his siblings save Zeus, he was swallowed by his father, who feared that one of his children would overthrow him just as he overthrew his own father, Ouranos. Due to Gaia’s intervention, Kronos was made to regurgitate his children.   Saturn Devouring A Son, by Peter Paul Rubens, 1636-1638. Source: Museo Del Prado, Madrid   The 2nd century CE author Pausanias describes another account in his Description of Greece that differs from the above. During his travels through Arcadia, the author came to a spring the locals called Lamb, and the locals recounted to him the story that when Rhea gave birth to Poseidon, she laid him in a flock of lambs that grazed around the spring. When Kronos came looking to devour his newborn son, she told him that she had given birth to a horse and gave him a foal to swallow instead. Thus, like Zeus, Poseidon was also spared from being eaten.   2. Titanomachy Dish showing the Titanomachy, Elias Drentwett I, 1630s. Source: The Hermitage Museum, St-Petersburg   Poseidon joined Zeus and his siblings to overthrow their father in a ten-year-long battle called the Titanomachy. He helped free the Cyclopes from Tartaros and was given his signature trident as a gift. Hesiod wrote in his Theogony that after overthrowing Kronos, Poseidon and the other Olympian gods named Zeus as ruler of the cosmos, and he assigned to each of them their portion of the cosmos, giving Poseidon the seas (Hesiod, 881-885).   Yet in Homer’s Iliad, which was composed near the same time as the Theogony, Poseidon himself contradicts this. When Zeus commanded the god to stop intervening in the war, Poseidon rails against him.   “The world war split three ways. Each received his realm. When we shook the lots I drew the sea, my foaming eternal home, and Hades drew the land of the dead engulfed in haze and night and Zeus drew the heavens, the clouds and the high clear sky, but the earth and Olympus heights are common to us all.” (Homer, 15.226-230).   3. Opposition to Zeus Marble bust of Poseidon, Roman copy, 1st century CE. Source: The Hermitage Museum, St-Petersburg     Recounted in a regrettably short passage in Homer’s Iliad, early in Zeus’s reign, Poseidon conspired with Hera and Athena to overthrow him. They chained him up and would have succeeded in their coup were it not for Thetis, an Olympian goddess and mother of Achilles. She enlisted the help of Briareus, one of the hundred-armed and fifty-headed giants who aided Poseidon in overthrowing his father. The giant down beside Zeus and his mere presence struck terror into the conspirators.   “That day the Olympians tried to chain him down, Hera, Poseidon lord of the sea, and Pallas Athena- You [Thetis] rushed to Zeus, dear Goddess, broke those chains, Quickly ordered the hundred-hander to steep Olympus, That monster whom the immortals call Briareus But every mortal calls the Sea-god’s [Pontus] son, Aegaeon, Though he’s stronger than his father. Down he sat, Flanking Cronus’ son, gargantuan in the glory of it all, And the blessed gods were struck with terror then, They stopped shackling Zeus.” (Homer, 1.474-483)   The passage names three gods in particular, yet later in the Iliad, it becomes clear that Apollo also participated.   4. Service at Troy Copper medallion of Neptune standing next to the walls of Troy, minted in Rome, 2nd century CE. Source: The British Museum   As punishment for their attempt to overthrow Zeus, Poseidon and Apollo were made to serve the king of Troy, Laomedon, for a year at a fixed wage. Apollo acted as shepherd to the king’s flock, and Poseidon built massive ashlar walls around the city to make it impregnable, but when their service was over and it was time to pay, the king refused. He threatened to bind them up and sell them off as slaves and even to cut off their ears with an axe.   In response, Apollo sent a plague, and Poseidon flooded the plains, then sent a sea monster to terrorize the inhabitants. It is this sea monster that Herakles killed to save the king’s daughter after completing his ninth labor. As repayment, Herakles asked for the mares that Zeus had once given to the founding king of Troy as compensation for the abduction of his son, Ganymede. Laomedon agreed, but the subtlety of the gods’ punishment was lost on him, for he cheated Herakles too (Apollodorus, 2nd c. CE, p.79).   5. Minos and the Bull Black-figure vase painting of Theseus slaying the Minotaur, attributed to Group E, ca.540 BCE. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York   Minos was the son of Europa and Zeus. After her abduction to Crete, his mother married King Asterios. When the king died without any children, Minos sought to become the king but met with opposition. He claimed that he had the blessing of the gods to rule, and to prove it, he claimed that whatever he prayed for would come to pass. During a sacrifice to Poseidon, Minos prayed that a bull would appear from the water and promised to sacrifice it when it did. Poseidon heard his prayer and sent up a magnificent bull from the sea. Minos became the king of Crete, but he didn’t sacrifice the bull. Instead, he sent it away to his own herds and sacrificed a different one.   But the god was not fooled. In his anger, Poseidon turned the bull savage and also instilled in Minos’ wife Pasiphae a lust for the animal. She contracted the architect Daedalos to build a wooden cow for her that she could then climb inside. Mistaking the contraption for a genuine cow, the bull mounted it. Pasiphae became pregnant and gave birth to the Minotaur (Apollodorus, 1997, pp.97-98).   6. Contest With Athena Red-figure painting of the contest between Poseidon and Athena, the Wedding Procession Painter, 4th century BCE. Source: The Hermitage Museum, St-Petersburg   When the gods were still claiming lands for themselves where they’d be worshiped, Poseidon landed in Attica, then called Acte, and laid claim to a city called Cecropia. He struck his trident into the ground, scarring the rock and creating a saltwater well. Athena then came to the city and also claimed it as her own by planting an olive tree.   Naturally, the two of them came into conflict and Zeus had to intervene, calling on the other Olympians to help settle the matter. The city went to Athena, and she renamed it Athens after herself. Poseidon was furious at his loss, so in retaliation, he flooded the Thriasian Plains and submerged the entire land of Attica under the sea (Apollodorus, 1997, p.130).   7. Contest With Helios Helios as Personification of Midday by Anton Raphael Mengs, circa 1765. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Athena wasn’t the only god that Poseidon disputed with for cities. He also claimed the city of Corinth and was opposed by Helios. This contest was arbitrated by Briareus, who gave the acropolis of Corinth to Helios and the Isthmus to Poseidon. The sea god must have been satisfied with the result, since he didn’t flood the land like he did in Attica. The Isthmian Games, an athletic contest like the Olympic Games, were hosted there and celebrated in Poseidon’s honor.   8. Medusa Terracotta roof tile of a Gorgon head, ca.580-570 BCE. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York   Medusa was one of the Gorgons, three sisters born to the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto. They are commonly depicted as winged women with snakes for hair and a terrifying grimace. Two of the Gorgons were immortal, but Medusa was different from her sisters in that she was mortal. She caught the eye of Poseidon, and in Hesiod’s Theogony we are told that in a somewhat off-handed fashion, Poseidon “lay down with her among the flowers of spring in a soft meadow” (Hesiod, 1973, p.32).   Ovid recounts another version in his Metamorphoses. Medusa was once a mortal woman with many suitors and beautiful hair. Poseidon then raped her inside Athena’s temple. As a virgin goddess, Athena was deeply offended, and as is often the case with Greek mythology, mortals suffer the consequences. She turned Medusa’s beautiful hair into snakes and made it so anyone who looked upon her turned to stone (Ovid, p.156).   9. Iliad Marble relief fragment with scenes from the Trojan War, Theodoros, 1st century CE. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York   During the last few weeks of the Trojan War, Zeus had forbidden the gods from interfering, yet Poseidon, like the other Olympians, still meddled heavily. He took the side of the Greeks because he was still angry with the Trojans for how the past king, Laomedon, treated him. His aid mainly took the form of moral support, rallying the men to fight or filling them with confidence and vigor.   During a notable battle where the Trojans had pushed the Greeks back to their ships, Zeus felt confident that no immortals would meddle, so he turned his gaze away. Poseidon took this opportunity to rally the Greeks. He appeared to them as the prophet Calchas, going to Greater and Little Ajax first to inspire them to fight and hold back Hector’s advance. In a somewhat tongue-in-cheek fashion, he says to them:   “[…] if only a gould could make you stand fast yourselves, tense with all your power, and command the rest of your men to stand fast too- then you could hurl him back from the deep-sea ships, hard as he hurls against you, even if Zeus himself impels the madman on.” (Homer, 1990, 13.68-70)   With this speech, Poseidon strikes them with his scepter and grants them courage and strength. He then sped away and roused the rest of the Greeks to take up arms and fight. Hera watched the battle with interest and devised a plan to put Zeus to sleep. Poseidon was then able to openly affect the battle, leading the armies of the Greeks from the head and clashing with Hector. When Zeus awoke, he threatened Poseidon to leave the fighting, and the god of earthquakes begrudgingly complied.   10. Odyssey Terracotta plaque of Odysseus having his feet washed by Eurykleia, ca.450 BCE. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York   The Odyssey recounts the adventures of the titular hero Odysseus during his return journey from Troy. In the epic, Poseidon is the main antagonizing force that keeps Odysseus from getting home, waylaying him for ten years.   The hero incurred Poseidon’s wrath when he and his crew landed on an island inhabited by Polyphemus, Poseidon’s son. Polyphemus was a man-eating Cyclops and had trapped Odysseus and his men in a cave but blocked the exit with a massive stone. He then proceeded to eat them one by one. In order to escape, Odysseus gave the Cyclops wine and got him drunk. Then, he waited until he was asleep before stabbing him in the eye with a stake of olive wood.   When the hero escaped, Polyphemus prayed to Poseidon that Odysseus never reach his home, or if it’s his fate to return, then to get there late, losing all of his men and ships and finding trouble in his own house. Poseidon would answer his son’s prayer, sending storms and monsters to harass Odysseus every step of the journey.   The god’s hand can also be seen in more subtle ways in many of the misfortunes that befall the Greek hero. Soon after leaving the island of the Cyclopes, he went to Aeolia, where King Aeolus gifted Odysseus a bag of winds to speed his return home. But Odysseus didn’t tell his men the contents of the bag, and when they were within sight of home, Poseidon made him fall asleep, allowing for his men to grow curious and open the bag. The winds escaped and blasted the ships back to Aeolia.   Shipping in a Storm, by Jean-Antoine Théodore Gudin, c.1802-1880. Source: Sotheby’s   In another episode, Odysseus and his men come to the island of Thrinacia, where the cattle of the sun god Helios were pastured. Odysseus remembered a warning he received from the goddess Circe, that should anyone eat the cattle of the Sun, he would suffer the very fate that Polyphemus prayed for. His crew insisted on landing there, so Odysseus made them swear not to eat the cattle. They land on the island, but strong winds keep them there for a month, and they run out of provisions.   At this point, Odysseus knows that some god is against him, though he doesn’t know which. He goes off to pray to the gods for help, but again, he is stricken with sleep. While Poseidon is not expressly named as being the perpetrator, none of the other Olympians have a motive to waylay the Greek hero. With their captain asleep, Odysseus’ crew eat some of the cattle. The sun god Helios complains to Zeus, who throws down a lightning bolt and destroys the rest of the ships.   Odysseus eventually makes it home with the help of the Phaecians, who provided him with a ship. Poseidon’s anger didn’t subside, however, and he turned his wrath onto the Phaecians. He waited until their ship was within sight of their city and then turned it to stone (Murgatroyd, 2015).   References   Apollodorus. (1st or 2nd century CE). The Library of Greek Mythology (R. Hard, trans). Oxford University Press, 1997   Hesiod. (8th century BCE). Theogony and Works and Days (D. Wender, trans). Penguin Group, 1973   Homer. (8th century BCE). The Iliad (R. Fagles, trans). Penguin Books USA Inc., 1990   Murgatroyd, P. (2015). The Wrath of Poseidon. The Classical Quarterly, 65(2), 444–448   Ovid. (43 BCE-17 CE or 18 CE). Metamorphoses (C. Martin, trans). W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2005

  Freedom of speech is one of America’s core political culture values, meaning the vast majority of citizens—of all political persuasions—agree with the concept. But, while most Americans agree with freedom of speech in general, there is little agreement on what the exceptions should be. When can, or should, speech (a generalized term that includes the media, artistic expression, and public gatherings) be limited by governments?   Throughout US history, leaders have tried to impose limits on the freedom of speech from both conservative and liberal viewpoints. From the 1780s to social media, here’s a look at key US election cycles where freedom of speech became a hot topic and affected voters.   1800 Election: Alien and Sedition Acts A transcription of the Sedition Act of 1798 that appeared in American newspapers. Source: Thomas Jefferson Foundation / Monticello   The early American republic was far from a world power and was often targeted for abuse on the high seas by Britain and France. Although France was a former ally from the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolution changed both political and trade dynamics between the two countries. As Britain went to war against France during the French Revolutionary Wars, America attempted to remain neutral, and as it smoothed relations with Britain, tensions spiked with France. This created the Quasi-War between France and the US, with French privateers seizing American ships in 1796 and 1797.   An engraving of the text of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which began the Bill of Rights of 1791. Source: Detroit Public Radio   In 1798, US President John Adams signed the Alien and Sedition Acts that banned criticism of his Federalist political party. This was the first federal law to limit freedom of speech in the United States. Democratic-Republicans were outraged, especially since the law specifically disallowed criticism of Adams and the Federalists.   Two years later, Democratic-Republican Vice President Thomas Jefferson defeated Adams in the presidential election, and many thought public opposition to the Acts helped clinch Jefferson’s victory. He allowed the controversial law to expire and pardoned those convicted of violating it.   1864 Election: The Civil War and Limits on Protest Civil War era draft records from June 1863, with the draft being highly controversial because it allowed wealthier Americans to avoid service. Source: The Jonathan Clark House Museum   The American Civil War (1861-65) involved a great deal of limits on free speech, especially since the opposing sides shared a common language and, to a great extent, a common culture. Both the Union and the Confederacy limited speech and press that was considered favorable to the other side, lest citizens of each slacken their resolve and support for the conflict. Supporters of censorship argued that sympathizers of the enemy could use free speech and the press to spread harmful disinformation or propaganda that might confuse troops and drive down enlistments.   US President Abraham Lincoln is widely known for suspending habeas corpus, or the right to appeal one’s imprisonment, in border states. Controversially, the Lincoln administration seized some newspapers in 1864 that were known for opposing the president. These papers were printing dubious information, specifically a hoax about a large military draft that allegedly harmed the war effort…but were Lincoln’s actions still suppression of the free press? Ultimately, Lincoln won re-election that autumn by a solid margin, with late-in-the-war battlefield victories bolstering his popularity at crucial moments.   1876 Election: Political Machines Era Political cartoons depicting the 1875 Whiskey Ring Scandal were among the freedoms of the press that sank President Ulysses S. Grant’s third-term hopes. Source: The Ohio State University   After the Civil War, America rapidly urbanized and industrialized in the northeast, fueled by rapid immigration from Europe. During the Gilded Age, unethically close relationships existed between industries and politicians. Most government jobs were filled through patronage, also known as the spoils system, with winners of elections appointing their friends and allies to positions in the public sector regardless of skill or aptitude. Some journalists began criticizing this system and worked to expose corruption.   The press helped publicize a scandal that sank US President Ulysses S. Grant’s hope of a third term in 1876. In 1875, journalists reported on the Whiskey Ring scandal involving fraud to avoid paying taxes (by using bribery) on whiskey production. Grant’s personal secretary, Orville Babcock, was found to be complicit in the scandal. Combined with other scandals in Grant’s administration (though not involving the president himself), the Republican Party decided not to run the former general-in-chief for a third term as president. Free speech in the form of the free press, therefore, led to Grant being sidelined and replaced by Rutherford B. Hayes.   1920 Election: WWI-Era Espionage and Sedition Acts A 1921 photograph of American socialist reformer Eugene Debs, who ran for president as Socialist Party nominee from prison in 1920. Source: WGBH Educational Foundation / PBS   Nationwide mobilization for war, including a draft, erupted fifty years after the Civil War with America’s entry into World War I. With imperial Germany targeting American ships on the high seas, the government wanted to ensure that no information about US shipping or ports would fall into enemy hands. The Espionage Act of 1917 punished those who leaked valuable information about the American war effort. A year later, the Espionage Act deepened restrictions on speech by allowing the government to punish those who undermined the war effort, such as by protesting America’s involvement.   In the summer of 1918, a socialist labor reformer named Eugene Debs was arrested and imprisoned for a speech criticizing the wartime draft. Although World War I ended soon afterward with an Allied victory, Debs remained in prison. He famously campaigned for president in 1920 from his prison cell and received just over three percent of the popular vote. Although the Supreme Court had ruled against Debs in 1919, keeping him in prison, the socialist reformer was released from prison by election victor Warren G. Harding in 1921.   1948-1960 Elections: The Cold War and Red Scare  Rampant fear of communism during the Second Red Scare allegedly helped World War II hero Dwight D. Eisenhower (left) win the 1952 presidential election. Source: The National WWII Museum, New Orleans   Government censorship of the press was eased during World War II, as fewer people protested the war, and the government felt that more active media coverage would deepen public support. Allied victory in the war in 1945 quickly revealed a new threat: the communist Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was a growing superpower that actively supported the spread of communism around the globe…including among its wartime allies. Quickly, the American public was engulfed by the Second Red Scare during the early Cold War era.   During the election cycles from 1948 to 1960, free speech was informally suppressed by public condemnations of socialism, communism, and alleged sympathizers. Politicians and celebrities who were suspected of past sympathies with any strain of Marxism were often rejected by voters, viewers, and even employers. Many felt that the Red Scare advantaged Republican presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower, a World War II hero, due to his public image as a tough, military-minded leader. Although the Red Scare cooled after 1954 and the collapse of McCarthyism, anti-communism remained a dominant theme over which presidential candidates competed in 1956 and 1960.   1948-1964: Civil Rights and Attempts at Suppression A map of US states and territories that had used literacy tests for voter registration at any point between 1870 and 1965. Source: Cambridge University   Suspected communists were not the only voices suppressed in the 1950s through often informal intimidation and condemnation. Minorities who fought for civil rights during this parallel era also faced widespread backlash from powerful figures and institutions, mostly in the South. Local and state governments often ignored First Amendment protections of freedom of speech, press, religion, and peaceable assembly by arresting African American activists for alleged disruptions of the peace. Sometimes, authorities tried to infringe on civil rights activists by labeling them communists.   The political effects of the Civil Rights Movement on presidential elections were complex. Although national Democratic leaders like presidents Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson supported civil rights, Southern Democrats largely opposed them. This gave popular Republicans like President Dwight D. Eisenhower an opening to court Black voters in the North, helping him easily win re-election in 1956. Eight years later, after Kennedy pushed hard on civil rights, even a repressed Black vote in the South helped Democratic nominee Lyndon B. Johnson win big in 1964. The next year, Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law, ending states’ use of biased literacy tests for voter registration in the South.   1968-1972: Pentagon Papers and Vietnam War Elections An image from the cover of the Pentagon Papers that detailed increasing US involvement in Vietnam between 1945 and 1967. Source: University of Virginia   Johnson’s landslide presidential election victory in 1964 was largely due to his staunch support for civil rights and economic reforms. Beginning the following year, however, Johnson’s popularity began to wane as he continually escalated American military involvement in the Vietnam War. Ongoing protests over civil rights were quickly joined by anti-war and anti-draft protests, with many young activists belonging to both movements. Government attempts to limit anti-war views were limited by new technology: television. Journalists could get news from the ground instead of relying on government reports that were favorable to the Johnson administration.   This freedom of the press largely sank the re-election hopes of President Johnson in 1968. Widespread protests against the war and the draft, coupled with devastating news coverage of the situation in Vietnam, weakened Johnson’s political support. On March 31, 1968, Johnson announced he would not seek re-election. Anti-war press later affected the 1972 presidential election, with the Pentagon Papers, published by the New York Times and the Washington Post, driving President Richard Nixon (winner of the 1968 election) to approve unethical means to secure re-election. Nixon won re-election, but his attempt to cover up his campaign’s break-in of the Democratic Party offices at the Watergate Complex led to his eventual resignation in 1974.   2004-12: War on Terror Elections A political cartoon criticizing the Patriot Act of 2001 as violating Americans’ civil liberties in the pursuit of national security. Source: Santa Clara University   Freedom of speech became a major political issue again after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. Due to the sophistication and brutality of the attacks, the US government feared future attacks were a possibility. New technology like the Internet and cell phones made it easier for terrorists to plan and carry out attacks. In response, the federal government passed the Patriot Act. Controversially, this law gave the government unprecedented power to tap citizen’s phones (and other electronic communication). Proponents of the law, who tended to be supporters of incumbent Republican president George W. Bush, argued that it strengthened national security by allowing rapid tracking of terrorists and criminals.   This divide, which was part of a broader political disagreement over US actions in the War on Terror, affected the next three presidential elections. Americans disagreed over how much information should be restricted to protect the public interest, such as trying to avoid a panic over a potential bioterror attack. Around the 2012 election cycle, the debate over whistleblowers became highly political. Current or former government employees were charged with violating the Espionage Act (yes, from World War I) for revealing information about government investigations. Supporters of whistleblowers argued that they were doing a public service by revealing government excess, while critics said they were undermining national security.   2016: Email Server Scandal Election Then-US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who struggled with an email server scandal during her 2016 presidential bid. Source: US Mission to International Organizations in Geneva   If the 2004, 2008, and 2012 presidential elections dealt with restrictions on speech, the 2016 election changed the situation slightly by focusing on the security of speech. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was accused of violating the law and jeopardizing national security by using a private email server to store emails made when she was US Secretary of State. The Clinton email server scandal became a major facet of the presidential campaign, with critics of the former US senator (D-NY) arguing that she was reckless in her use of personal (and unencrypted) email.   The scandal sparked a debate over how secure modern communications needed to be. Did the former First Lady truly jeopardize national security by occasionally using personal email to conduct government business? Supporters of Clinton argued that the situation was blown out of proportion and that the excessive media coverage was unfair. This created a debate over media bias and whether Clinton or her opponent, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, were being covered fairly. Citizens were split, with most Democrats arguing that the email server scandal coverage was unfairly harsh toward Clinton and most Republicans arguing that the media favored Clinton over Trump.   2020-24: “Rigged Election” Allegations A montage of headlines discussing alleged voter fraud in the United States. Source: American Constitution Society   For the first time in modern history, the 2020 presidential election was subject to widespread allegations that voter fraud had occurred and changed the outcome. Beginning in April 2020, conservatives began pushing claims that the Democratic Party would “cheat” the election through the use of mail-in ballots. Arguments that use of fraudulent or counterfeit mail-in ballots would be used by Democrats to “steal” the election continued through election day in November. When the Democratic nominee won the election, many Republicans opined that some degree of fraud had likely occurred.   Widespread Republican claims that fraud may have occurred or would occur in the future due to Democrat-supported reforms were condemned by Democrats as false and attempting to mislead the public. This sparked a debate over the boundaries of freedom of speech versus slander. At what point did claims of voter fraud become slander rather than opinion? Some conservatives argued that those arrested during and after the January 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol were political prisoners because they were being persecuted for their true political beliefs. Critics replied that believing false claims of voter fraud did not excuse breaking the law and blamed Republican politicians for pushing voter fraud narratives, sparking the violence.

If you’re looking for some of the most iconic historical monuments and memorials to explore not only in Washington, DC but also across the country, then the National Mall is the place to be. There’s no wonder that “America’s Front Yard” attracts millions of visitors annually. After all, it features tributes to key figures and pivotal events in US history. The two-mile-spanning National Mall houses landmarks honoring presidents, soldiers, and civil rights leaders, which provides visitors with a deep connection to the past of America. So, if you’re looking to reflect on the sacrifices of those who served in war or celebrate the ideals of liberty and equality, consider checking out these ten must-see monuments and memorials on the National Mall in DC.   1. Lincoln Memorial Lincoln Memorial statue in Washington, DC. Source: Picryl   At the western end of the National Mall in DC, you’ll be able to witness the revered tribute to President Abraham Lincoln. After years of planning and construction, the statue was dedicated in 1922 to honor the legacy of Lincoln in preserving the Union during the Civil War. Henry Bacon designed this iconic monument in a neoclassical style. He made it resemble a Greek temple with its 36 columns. Each of these represents the states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s assassination.   The massive 19-foot statue of Lincoln gazes out over the Reflecting Pool, with the Washington Monument in the distance. Over the years, the memorial witnessed lots of pivotal moments in US history, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech. This was delivered to more than 250,000 people from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It’s worth noting that the statue was sculpted by Daniel Chester French. The Lincoln Memorial is open 24/7, and it’s a place for reflection and remembrance, so it’s a good idea to visit during early morning or evening hours.   2. Washington Monument Washington Monument Under the Blue Sky, Washington, DC. Source: Pexels   Honoring George Washington, America’s first president, this towering monument stands tall at 555 feet. Actually, it’s the world’s tallest freestanding stone structure, and it’s situated at the center of the National Mall in Washington, DC, between the US Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.   Construction started in 1848. After several delays caused by funding issues and the Civil War, the Washington Monument was completed in 1884. Because of the delays and political disputes, there was a long pause in construction from 1854 to 1877.   When visiting this impressive obelisk, make sure to take an elevator ride to the observation deck. The latter offers charming 360-degree views of the city. You’ll be able to see the White House and the US Capitol from up there.   One of the most fascinating aspects of the Washington Monument is the visible change in the color of its marble due to construction being halted for over two decades. For instance, the darker stones at the base were sourced before construction ended. As for the lighter stones, they came from a different quarry after the project resumed following the war.   3. Vietnam Veterans Memorial The Vietnam Veterans Memorial statue, Washington, DC. Source: Boudewijn Huijgens   During the Vietnam War, 58,000 American service members died or went missing. This memorial honors them. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was designed by Maya Lin and completed in 1982. The names of the fallen are engraved on the black granite wall, arranged in chronological order of their deaths. As for the V-shaped design of the stunning memorial, it points toward both the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial and evokes a deep emotional response as visitors see their reflections alongside the engraved names.   Three key elements make up the Vietnam Veterans Memorial: the iconic Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, the Three Servicemen statue, and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. The latter honors primarily nurses who served during the war. Today, visitors often leave behind mementos, such as tokens, letters, and photographs, as a way to pay tribute to loved ones lost in the conflict. This makes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial one of the most poignant destinations on the National Mall.   4. World War II Memorial World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Source: px Here   This one is located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The National World War II Memorial honors the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, including the 405,399 who gave their lives. Dedicated in 2004, it features 56 granite pillars that represent the US states and territories at the time of war and two triumphal arches that symbolize the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of the conflict.   The millions of visitors who flock to the World War II Memorial annually enjoy witnessing the serene pool with fountains at the heart of the memorial, which is surrounded by bronze sculptures and bas-relief panels. These depict key moments from the war, both on the home front and on the battlefield.   They’re also drawn to the “Freedom Wall.” This one displays 4,048 gold stars, and each of them represents 100 Americans who died in the war. The memorial also plays a major role in the Honor Flight Program. This one brings veterans from across the country, including those who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, to visit the monuments dedicated to their service.   5. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Stone of Hope, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Source: Picryl   Opened in 2011, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial stands along the Tidal Basin, between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. It’s located in West Potomac Park and honors the legacy of Dr. King’s fight for equality, justice, and freedom.   The centerpiece is a 30-foot granite statue of Dr. King, known as the “Stone of Hope,” emerging from a symbolic “Mountain of Despair.” This design draws inspiration from his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, emphasizing perseverance in the face of adversity. To be more precise, a key line from the speech, “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope,” is embodied in the structure of the monument. And the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. emerges from two large granite slabs. These symbolize the “Mountain of Despair.”   There are several engraved quotes from Dr. King’s speeches surrounding the monument. They reflect his vision for justice and nonviolent social change. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial spans four acres and connects visitors to one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders.   6. Korean War Veterans Memorial The Korean War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Source: Picryl   This memorial opened in 1995, commemorates the service and sacrifice of 5.8 million Americans who fought in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. The centerpiece of the Korean War Veterans Memorial is a striking arrangement of 19 life-sized stainless steel statues. Each of them represents a soldier from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. The statues are arranged as though in patrol through a rugged Korean landscape. A reflective wall etched with images of service members mirrors the soldiers. It creates an impression of 38 figures, a nod to both the 38th parallel and the 38 months of the war.   One of the most powerful elements of the Korean War Veterans Memorial is the “Wall of Remembrance.” It was added in 2022 and bears the names of over 36,000 American and 7,100 South Korean soldiers who died under US command during the war. Visitors are also drawn to the poignant message engraved in silver letters: “Freedom is not free,” a reminder of the cost of the conflict.   7. Jefferson Memorial Jefferson Memorial seen across the Tidal Basin at dusk in Washington, DC. Source: Wikimedia Commons   The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a favorite among visitors to the National Mall in Washington, DC. It hosts various annual events, such as Easter sunrise services and ceremonies for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. As for the design of the memorial, it draws inspiration from the Roman Pantheon, featuring majestic marble steps and Ionic columns. You can find, inside of the memorial, a towering bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson standing at the center. It’s surrounded by inscriptions from his key writings, with some portions of the Declaration of Independence.   Located on the south side of Tidal Basin, the neoclassical monument was completed in 1943 and designed by John Russell Pope. The serene setting of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial offers mesmerizing views of the Tidal Basin and the cherry trees all around. This is particularly true during the annual cherry blossom season.   If you’re looking for a peaceful spot to reflect on the third US president’s role in shaping the nation, then the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is the place to be.   8. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Source: Picryl   This one is arranged into four distinct “outdoor” rooms, and each of them symbolizes one of Roosevelt’s four terms as president. These spaces use statues, murals, and water features to portray key moments from the Great Depression through World War II. After all, the 32nd US president led the nation through these critical periods in American history.   You will have the chance to see powerful quotes etched in stone and large-scale bronze sculptures. These quotes include depictions of FDR, his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, and his beloved dog, Fala.   The 7.5-acre memorial was opened in 1997, and one of its most distinctive elements is a statue of Roosevelt in a wheelchair, showcasing his personal struggles with polio and his leadership in spite of adversity.   We encourage you to explore the tranquil setting of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, as it offers stunning views of the nearby Tidal Basin.   9. United States Capitol Building United States Capitol building, Washington, DC. Source: Flickr   Located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, the US Capitol Building serves as the seat of the US Congress and a symbol of American democracy. Construction began in 1793, and by 1800, Congress held its first session in the newly completed north wing. Added in the 1860s, the iconic dome, which was designed by Thomas U. Walter, is a defining feature. It was influenced by European domes like St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. The Capitol has undergone multiple expansions, such as the addition of the Visitor Center in 2008.   The building itself has witnessed a handful of historic events. This includes presidential inaugurations and legislative milestones. You can tour the Rotunda inside, where notable American art, such as the “Frieze of American History” and “The Apotheosis of Washington,” adorns the walls. The Capitol Visitor Center provides you with guided tours that allow you to explore the architecture and history of the US Capitol Building. So, anyone interested in US history and politics must add this marvel to their bucket list.   10. DC War Memorial DC War Memorial on the National Mall, Washington, DC. Source: Wikimedia Commons   This lesser-known monument on the National Mall commemorates the 26,000 residents of DC who served in World War I, including the 499 who lost their lives. Opened in 1931, the DC War Memorial was designed by Frederick H. Brooke along with two other architects. It’s a circular, open-air structure made from Vermont marble and stands 47 feet tall. The memorial also serves as a bandstand, large enough to accommodate an 80-piece band, symbolizing how music was once performed there in honor of veterans.   What makes this memorial so unique is that it’s the only monument on the National Mall dedicated exclusively to the residents of DC. In 2010, restoration efforts recovered its gleaming white marble and improved accessibility. Visitors can reflect on the bravery and sacrifices made by DC’s soldiers during the “Great War,” just steps away from other iconic sites like the Lincoln Memorial.

  Some of the most iconic features of modern Halloween traditions can be traced back to ancient rituals. The most influential of these appears to be the Celtic feast day, Samhain. However, alongside the date itself, the customs associated with the day including trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, and apple bobbing, all have roots in ancient beliefs and practices.   The Feast of Samhain Modern-day revelers celebrate Samhain. Source: National Heritage Center   The Celtic calendar (influenced by the pastoral and agricultural year) began on November 1st. Traditionally, this was marked by the great feast of Samhain. Coinciding with the end of harvest season, livestock would be slaughtered and great bonfires lit. The association with the supernatural of modern Halloween festivities may also hark back to the tradition of ancient burial mounds being opened and spirits (aos si) were believed to walk the earth.   There are records of food being left as offerings and places being set at dinner for departed family members. In the 9th century, the western church endorsed Samhain renaming November 1st ‘All Saints’ Day’, making October 31st ‘All Saints’ Eve’ or ‘All Hallows’ Eve’ from which the term Halloween is derived. Despite Halloween having evolved since then, many still celebrate the festival of Samhain today.   The Jack- O’-Lantern Traditional jack-o-lantern carvings we now associate with Halloween. Source: HD Wallpaper   The earliest known use of the term Jack- O’-Lantern is in England in the 1660s.This is to refer to a light phenomenon also called Will o’the Wisp. This folklore term was used to explain the bright lights occasionally appearing above marshes or bogs that we now know as bioluminescence. The main story that seems to have given the Jack-O’-Lantern its name comes from a mid-18th century Irish folktale of Stingy Jack. In various versions of this legend, Jack is a blacksmith who cheats the devil in a wager. Sometimes trapping the devil in crosses, sometimes tricking him into turning himself into a silver coin.    In each variation, Stingy Jack has led a life of crime and so cannot go to heaven. However, as he has outsmarted the devil, he cannot be taken to hell either and so his spirit is doomed to wander the earth after death. When Stingy Jack asks the devil how he will be able to see which way to go, the devil throws Jack a fiery coal which Jack promptly puts in a carved-out vegetable (sometimes turnip or pumpkin). The ghostly firelit pumpkin being Stingy Jack’s ghostly lantern. And so, the legend of the Jack-O’-Lantern was created.   Love Rituals Lit candle on white candle holder. Photo by Gary Ellis. Source: Unsplash   Although associated with more ghoulish superstitions, there was also an ancient tradition of young girls hoping to see their future husband reflected in a candlelit mirror. It was then possible to discover his initial by throwing a complete apple peel over her shoulder – the letter formed would be that of her future beau.   Another popular Halloween tradition was to line a hot fireplace (or around a bonfire) with hazelnuts, giving each the name of a prospective husband and reciting “if you love me pop and fly; if you hate me, burn and die.” To guarantee a dream of her future love on Halloween, a young girl could place her shoes in the form of a ‘T’. a potent talisman representing the Norse god, Thor. she then said: ‘Hoping this night my true love to see, I place my shoes in the T.’ While less popular than some Halloween traditions, some do still carry out the traditional love rituals for their amusement.   Bonfires Bonfire night. Source: Wikimedia   Often witnessed as part of Samhain feasts, bonfires were also believed to have a cleansing and purifying property; a symbolic clearing of the year past to prepare for the year ahead. They may have also served the practical purpose of preparing the earth for the new agricultural year. A more superstitious purpose may have been to ward of spirits (driven away by the light). There are also some theories that suggest ancient pagans may have lit the fires to ensure the sun would return after the dark of the winter. Although bonfires are more commonly associated with Bonfire Night today, there are some who enjoy gathering around a fire at Halloween.   Trick or Treat Trick or treaters at Halloween. Source: Jennifer Crump   There are conflicting theories on the origin of this popular tradition. The truth is likely to be a combination of all of these. Firstly, during Samhain, food would be left out as offerings to wandering souls who walked the earth at night. In time, merrymakers began to dress as these spirits in exchange for small food offerings. The German-American tradition of belsnickeling also saw people dressing in ghoulish costumes and going door-to-door. In this tradition, those who answered would have to guess who was disguised and then give a small offering if they were wrong.    This is reminiscent of the Scottish practice of ‘guising’ (or ‘souling’). Mostly children (although poorer adults were recorded to have taken part also) would go door-to-door, in costume, offering prayers for the dead on All Souls’ Day. Over time, the prayers evolved into jokes, tricks, songs and other entertainment in return for money or food. The practice of trick-or-treating remains popular today, particularly in the United States.   Apple Bobbing Apple bobbing at Halloween. Source: Wikipedia   Also known as ‘ducking’ or ‘dooking in Scotland, or Snap Apple Night in Ireland and Newfoundland, apple bobbing is an ancient Halloween tradition. The likely origins are the merging of the Celtic Samhain with the Roman fruits and orchards goddess Pomona, whose symbol was the apple. When conquering Britain, Romans introduced the apple to British soil. Already a powerful symbol in Roman culture, when Celts cut the apple in half (lengthways) they observed that the seeds formed a pentagram; a symbol they associated with fertility.   From here, variations of bobbing for or spinning for apples were commonplace amongst young, unmarried folk. The purpose was one of divination: ‘Who would be the next to marry?’, ‘Who will my partner be?’, and other questions were apparently answered by whoever could first catch an apple or let an apple fall.

  Known in Tibet as the “Goddess Mother of the World” and “Goddess of the Sky” in Nepal, Mount Everest seems almost divine as it looks over the snowy landscape below. However, this stoic peak is not a benevolent deity. Luring adventurers from the world over, the massive peak has led to the deaths of hundreds since the first attempts to conquer it were made in the early twentieth century. How did Mount Everest become such an irresistible target for elite climbers and curious onlookers from around the globe?   Facts & Figures Mount Everest in 2020, photo by Zhang Weiguo. Source: CNN   Located in the Himalayan Mountain Range, Mount Everest is the tallest point on Earth. Rising into the sky at 29,032 feet, or 8,849 meters, the mountain looms between the neighboring countries of Tibet and Nepal. It was formed when India’s continental plate crashed into the Asian plate over 60 million years ago and continues to grow at a rate of 44 millimeters a year due to continuous plate action.   Mapping the Mountain A 2018 map showing the journey to Everest Base camp by Monika Brodmann Maeder. Source: Wilderness & Environmental Medicine accessed via ResearchGate   Although the Indigenous people local to the mountain have been familiar with it for centuries, the Western world did not become curious about Everest until the 19th century, when the British government began investigating it. While the mountain was not accessible from Nepal or Tibet at this time due to an isolationist policy and borders closed to foreigners, the British began observing the mountain from the Indian town of Darjeeling, about 140 miles away.   Historically, Tibetans call the mountain Chomolungma, and in Nepal, it is known as Sagarmatha, but the British bestowed it with the moniker “Gamma.” Gamma later became known as “Peak B” in 1847, and British scientists began to suspect that it may have been the tallest mountain on the planet.   Surveying, still from a distance and taking into consideration factors like light refraction, barometric temperature, and temperature, ensued. After a few years, it was determined that the height of the mountain, now referred to as “Peak XV,” was 29,002 feet, or 8,839,8 meters, though that measurement has been contemporarily adjusted using GPS and other modern survey technology.   A sign points the way to the Mount Everest base camp in Nepal. Source: Peak Climbing Nepal   In 1865, the mountain received its official and current western name from the Royal Geographic Society: Mount Everest. This name was suggested by India’s surveyor general, Andrew Waugh, who wanted to name the peak after his predecessor, Sir George Everest. Everest had been the original supervisor of the extensive surveying project that included Everest, investing 23 years into the endeavor. However, Everest did not want to name the mountain after himself, as he always preferred to use local names. Waugh protested that since the surrounding countries were closed, there was no way to know these names, and Everest remained the chosen title.   Sherpa people at a market. Paula Bronstein photo. Source: CNN   Several groups of Indigenous people lived near the mountain, including the Sherpa. The Sherpa are a Nepalese ethnic group who have become especially adapted to mountain survival, including an acclimation to low-oxygen situations. The Sherpa proved invaluable to the upcoming attempts to scale the mountain. From the beginning, they served as guides and porters, lending their unique local knowledge to precarious situations.   First Attempts A view of the Tibetan Plateau, from which the first exploration set out. Matteo Colombo photo. Source: Matteo Colombo Travel Photography   Now that the mountain had been mapped, British explorers were eager to get access to it and determine what secrets the mountain might hold. This proved difficult, as both countries surrounding the mountain blocked outsiders from entering. However, diplomacy ensued, and in 1921, the British government got special permission from the Dalai Lama to enter Tibet and begin exploration.   Starting in May, a group of mountaineers, surveyors, and naturalists set off across the Tibetan Plateau toward their destination. They spent four months studying the mountain and exploring potential approaches. The team’s oxygen expert, Dr. Kellas, died on the trip, and others suffered ill health as a result of the conditions. The team did not make a successful foray up the slope but gathered a great deal of information that proved useful in future attempts. George Mallory, standing second from left, just before his third and last Everest expedition. Source: Durham University Library   The following year, a voyage led by George Leigh Mallory, who had attended the first trip, set out to tackle the mountain, hoping to complete an actual ascent. Two men in the party, Geoffery Bruce and George Ingle Finch, made it to the altitude of 27,000 feet, a historic accomplishment. However, that meant there was still a mile to go to reach the summit. Mallory made a second relay toward the top on this trip, but it was interrupted when an avalanche swept the group away. Seven Sherpa porters were killed in this event, and the ascension attempt was concluded.   Gone Mallory and Irvine at base camp in 1924. Source: Royal Geographical Society Photo   Though George Mallory had failed in 1922, he wasn’t ready to give up on Everest. He tried again in 1924 with a new group, of which two men made it over 28,000 feet. Mallory followed their trek with an attempt at the final ascent, accompanied by student Andrew “Sandy” Irvine. With supplemental oxygen in tow, the pair set out on June 8 and were not seen again for decades.   A shot of George Mallory’s body taken by Thom Pollard. Source: Climbing Magazine   In 1999, George Mallory’s body was discovered and identified by a group of climbers, battered as if he may have died from a fall. Since Mallory’s disappearance, there has been some discussion as to whether he and Irvine may have reached the summit, becoming the first to the top of Everest, and then experienced a tragic accident on their descent.   Some pointed out that Mallory was not in possession of his wife’s photo, which he always carried and had promised to leave on the summit. He was also not wearing his goggles, which indicated that he may have been moving at nighttime. Irvine’s body has never been located, though it is suspected that a Chinese climber spotted it in 1975.   Summiting Success Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Source: AP Photo via National Geographic   The first documented ascent of Mount Everest was completed in 1953. Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander, and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay succeeded in their attempt. They were part of a large group of ten climbers and 320 porters. Norgay had almost completed the summit the year before, as part of a Swiss group that was eventually forced to turn back at 28,210 feet, and had been involved in five Everest expeditions before that. The pair spent about fifteen minutes at the summit, taking photos to prove their accomplishment. They gained international fame even before they left the mountain and remained friends until Norgay’s death in 1986. Hillary passed away in 2008.   Other Notable Adventures (and Tragedies) Everest climbers featured in a promotional video for an exhibit at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago. Source: Museum of Science & Industry Chicago   When Hillary and Norgay completed their trek, they believed efforts to summit Mount Everest would cease. They couldn’t have been more wrong. Since their climb, over 6,000 people have successfully summited the peak. About 800 adventurers attempt the trip each year, with hundreds more visiting the base camp area as tourists. Well over 300 of these climbers have perished on the slopes since 1922. This is clearly not a climb for novices, and the price tag is astronomical, coming in at about $50,000 for permits and supplies.   Junko Tabei in a photo provided by her family to Outside Online. Source: Outside Online   Junko Tabei became the first woman to successfully summit in 1975, following the same route as Hillary and Norgay. In 1978, Rheinhold Messer and Peter Habler, an Austrian pair, made the trip as it had never been made before: without the use of supplemental oxygen. Messer made the trek a second time two years later, again forgoing oxygen and becoming the first person to ascend solo, establishing a new route on the North Face of the mountain.   A climber is rescued after an Everest Avalanche in 2014, Baddhabir RAI photo. Source: CNBC   Not all journeys up the mountain have resulted in achievements; others have resulted in disaster. In 1974, a French team fell victim to an avalanche, resulting in the disappearance of the expedition’s leader and five Sherpas. No remains were ever found.   A 1996 blizzard stranded seventeen mountaineers, of which only half returned alive.   In 2006, climber David Sharp froze to death after ascending, passed by numerous people as he sat in distress.   Controversy Ngima Tashi Sherpa carries a Malaysian climber who collapsed in the death zone in 2023. Gelje Sherpa photo. Source: CNN   Despite its popularity as a climbing destination, Mount Everest has become the root of contemporary controversy. A main concern surrounding the mountain is the rights and exploitation of the Sherpa people, who have been historically paid less than white guides. Their jobs in relation to the mountain have a high death risk, with little compensation. In addition, the Sherpa people who are not directly involved in the mountain business have found their way of life disrupted by constant tourism.   Pollution has become a big concern for the mountain as more and more people attempt to ascend every year. Also left behind are dozens of bodies that are unable to be retrieved, forcing climbers to travel past them as they move up the mountain. The increase in the mountain’s popularity in recent years has resulted in crowds waiting to reach the top, congesting the trails. More specifically, these trails are located in what is known as the “death zone,” and standing around here can be deadly. A climbing suit worn by Aussie Geoff Bartram to summit Mt. Everest in 1984. Source: National Museum Australia   The ultimate destination for mountaineers from around the world, Mount Everest has proven that she may be ascended but never conquered. The peak’s history demonstrates that the challenges it offers are far from surmountable, even as climbing technology has increased.

Often when we’re tired and don’t feel like going to church, praying, or spending time in God’s Word, the enemy can come against us and try to deter us from taking the first step. But if we’ll take that first step, we almost always find the next one is a bit easier.

12 days remain to Election Day, and that means there are 12 days left in this election cycle for ABC News to continue to distinguish themselves as the most comically sycophantic pro-Harris network evening newscast. Watch as anchor David Muir introduces Mary Bruce’s campaign roundup, with a lengthy brief that could serve as its own report: DAVID MUIR: We turn now to the race for The White House. Just 12 days now until Election Day but tonight, this number: more than 30 million Americans have already voted in early voting. Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump tonight in the key battleground states. And tonight, former President Trump vowing, if elected, he will fire Jack Smith, who is prosecuting Trump for allegedly trying to overthrow the results of the last election, and the horror on January 6th. And after CNN invited both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump to a debate or to a town hall, Trump saying no to both, Harris showing up to make her case in front of undecided voters in Pennsylvania. And what she promised. Here's ABC's Mary Bruce. Two things Muir wants to embed in the audience’s heads before going to Mary Bruce: that Trump wants to fire Jack Smith, and that Kamala Harris made “a promise”to the American public. After driving those points home, Muir tosses to Mary Bruce, the former Chief Apple Polisher to the Biden White House. Bruce proceeds to repeat what Muir just said, before rehashing the John Kelly allegations. After reading them into the record, Bruce focuses on suggesting that Trump is a coward for not accepting CNN’s invitation to attend a debate or town hall: MARY BRUCE: That town hall held in place of a proposed debate. Harris had agreed to participate, but Trump refused. Today, Harris taking note. KAMALA HARRIS: Yet again, Trump not showing up, um, refused to be part of a CNN debate. BRUCE: And zeroing in on her campaign's closing message that Trump is a danger to the country. HARRIS: Either you have the choice of a Donald Trump, who will sit in The Oval Office, stewing, plotting revenge, retribution, writing out his enemies list, or what I will be doing, which is responding to folks like the folks last night, with a to-do list. After aiding and abetting Harris’s efforts to present Trump as a danger to Democracy™, Muir jumps back in and sets Bruce up for her big reveal of The Promise: MUIR: This has been extraordinary, Mary. A slew of new national polls and battleground state polls both showing this is a dead heat. Some showing Harris is ahead, some showing Trump is ahead, but I wanted to ask you about this CNN event last night, they had invited both Harris and Donald Trump to a debate, or to a town hall. Donald Trump saying no to both. Kamala Harris showing up, in front of those undecided voters in Pennsylvania, and she made a promise. BRUCE: She did, David. Kamala Harris promising those voters at last night's town hall that she will be a president for all Americans, Democrats, Republicans, and independents. And tonight, she's going to be here in Atlanta, appearing alongside former President Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen. Tomorrow night, she'll be in Houston with Beyonce. The Senate race in that state, of course, razor close. Meanwhile, Donald Trump tomorrow appearing with superstar podcaster Joe Rogan, hoping to appeal to his massive audience of young men. A group Donald Trump is counting on to win this race, David. Bruce here sounds like a campaign comms person explaining Harris’s “promise” and hyping the celebrities coming to her joint event with former President Barack Obama.  If it weren’t for Regime Media, we’d have none at all. Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned report as aired on ABC World News Tonight on Thursday, October 24th, 2024: ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT 10/24/24 6:38 PM DAVID MUIR: We turn now to the race for The White House. Just 12 days now until Election Day but tonight, this number: more than 30 million Americans have already voted in early voting. Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump tonight in the key battleground states. And tonight, former President Trump vowing, if elected, he will fire Jack Smith, who is prosecuting Trump for allegedly trying to overthrow the results of the last election, and the horror on January 6th. And after CNN invited both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump to a debate or to a town hall, Trump saying no to both, Harris showing up to make her case in front of undecided voters in Pennsylvania. And what she promised. Here's ABC's Mary Bruce. MARY BRUCE: Tonight, Donald Trump declaring that if he's re-elected, one of his first orders of business will be to fire the special counsel prosecuting him for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump saying getting rid of Jack Smith will be, quote, “one of the first things addressed.” DONALD TRUMP: It's so easy. I would fire him within two seconds. BRUCE: In an interview later today, Trump saying Smith should be, quote, thrown out of the country. Tonight, Kamala Harris's campaign hitting back, saying, "Donald Trump thinks he's above the law, and these latest comments are right in line with the warnings made by Trump's former Chief of Staff that he wants to rule as a dictator with unchecked power." That former Chief of Staff, retired four-star General John Kelly, told The New York Times Trump fits the definition of a fascist, and would love to rule as a dictator himself. JOHN KELLY: Oh, I think, you know, I think he'd love to be -- I think he'd love to be just like he was in business. He could tell people to do things and they would do it and not really bother too much about whether -- what the legalities were. BRUCE: As a retired general, Kelly doesn’t endorse candidates, but he says he's speaking out now, because Trump has vowed to go after his political enemies using the military if necessary, calling them the enemy within. At a CNN town hall, Harris urging voters to heed his warning. KAMALA HARRIS: I think one has to think about, why would someone who served with him, who is not political, a four-star Marine general, why is he telling the American people now? And frankly, I think of it is -- he's just putting out a 911 call to the American people. Understand what could happen if Donald Trump were back in The White House. And this time, we must take very seriously those folks who knew him best, and who are career people, are not going to be there to hold him back. BRUCE: That town hall held in place of a proposed debate. Harris had agreed to participate, but Trump refused. Today, Harris taking note. HARRIS: Yet again, Trump not showing up, um, refused to be part of a CNN debate. BRUCE: And zeroing in on her campaign's closing message that Trump is a danger to the country. HARRIS: Either you have the choice of a Donald Trump, who will sit in The Oval Office, stewing, plotting revenge, retribution, writing out his enemies list, or what I will be doing, which is responding to folks like the folks last night, with a to-do list. BRUCE: Today, in North Carolina, Harris' running mate, Tim Walz, telling young voters to beware of Trump's threats to go after his enemies. TIM WALZ: Look. I recognize I'm on the top of his list, but don't kid yourself. You are somewhere on this list, too, if you disagree with these people. That's who they are. BRUCE: And late this evening, Trump lashing out at John Kelly, who was his longest serving Chief of Staff, and before that, his Secretary of Homeland Security. DONALD TRUMP: I realize I didn't like him, you know, pretty quickly, and was stopping paying attention, but he was a bully who made up stories. BRUCE: Minutes later, Trump firing up a crowd of supporters in Tempe, Arizona. TRUMP: This is going to be the biggest and most important election ever, it's going  to be the biggest political event, I believe, in our country's history. We have to win. And we don't need it for the big political event, we need it to save our country. MUIR: This has been extraordinary, Mary. A slew of new national polls and battleground state polls both showing this is a dead heat. Some showing Harris is ahead, some showing Trump is ahead, but I wanted to ask you about this CNN event last night, they had invited both Harris and Donald Trump to a debate, or to a town hall. Donald Trump saying no to both. Kamala Harris showing up, in front of those undecided voters in Pennsylvania, and she made a promise. BRUCE: She did, David. Kamala Harris promising those voters at last night's town hall that she will be a president for all Americans, Democrats, Republicans, and independents. And tonight, she's going to be here in Atlanta, appearing alongside former President Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen. Tomorrow night, she'll be in Houston with Beyonce. The Senate race in that state, of course, razor close. Meanwhile, Donald Trump tomorrow appearing with superstar podcaster Joe Rogan, hoping to appeal to his massive audience of young men. A group Donald Trump is counting on to win this race, David. MUIR: Mary Bruce live in Georgia tonight. Mary, thank you.    

America’s foreign policy is backfiring again in a region with key geostrategic importance, the South Caucasus. This mountainous landscape is traditionally viewed in the Western hemisphere as the easternmost…