The Capitol and Library of Congress

I went exploring again today.  My destinations were to visit the Capitol and Library of Congress (hopefully with a tour at each place), and if I still felt up to it, the Botanic gardens.  Well, I didn't feel up to it.

Fun facts from today

1. The Capitol caught on fire twice before being completed (once during the War of 1812 and had to be completely rebuilt; the second time in the 1850s from an accidental fire).
2. There is a crypt in the Capitol when it was built the second time so tht George Washington could be buried there; however, apparently Washington really didn't want to be buried there because he put in his will to be buried as Mt. Vernon.
3. Legislation has to be passed about which statues can be on display in the rotunda.
4. The Jefferson Building, where the Library of Congress is located, was the first government building to be built with electricity.
5. Anyone 16 and older can use the Library of Congress by going to the Madison Building and getting the appropriate clearance; you don't even have to be an American citizen (which makes sense since so many people from other countries come to use the primary documents).
6. When the Jefferson Building was being built, aluminum was just discovered and was more precious than silver which is why the window panes are aluminum and not silver.

Me standing outside the Capitol (north side)

Supreme Court Building (under construction)

View of the Capitol from just outside the Library of Congress

Inside the Library of Congress

Inside the Library of Congress

Inside the Library of Congress

Inside the Library of Congress

Inside the Library of Congress

Inside the Library of Congress

Inside the Library of Congress

View of the Capitol inside the Library of Congress

Inside the Library of Congress

Inside the Library of Congress

Inside the Library of Congress

Inside the Library of Congress

Inside the Capitol (statue gallery)

Inside the Capitol (statue gallery)--Rosa Parks

Inside the Capitol (statue gallery)

Inside the Capitol (statue gallery)--over the door 

Inside the Capitol (statue gallery)--Brigham Young

Inside the Capitol (statue gallery)

Inside the Capitol--Rotunda

Inside the Capitol--Rotunda--PAINTED, not carved

Inside the Capitol--Rotunda 

Inside the Capitol--Rotunda

Capitol Building

Capitol Building

Inside the Capitol Visitor's Center 

Inside the Capitol--Crypt