#visitthecapitol

Soldiers on the roof of a building near the Capitol with an anti-aircraft weapon, 1942, FDR Library, NARA ID 598402.

Extra security at the Capitol on Dec. 8, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Image courtesy of Library of Congress, online here.

Office of War Information, Domestic Operations Branch. Bureau of Special Services. NARA ID 515731.

FLASHBACK: DEFENDING THE CAPITOL/CAPITAL

By Miriam Kleiman, Public Affairs

Heightened security helped ensure this week’s peaceful transfer of power. While this level of mobilization is unprecedented, it’s not the only time additional troops helped protect our nation’s capital/Capitol. See below, in addition to the more customary shots of soldiers in DC celebrating victories, marching in inaugural and other parades, and participating in the time-honored tradition of posing on the Capitol steps.  

Civil War Defense of DC

Union Army fortifications surrounded and protected DC from rebel attack during the Civil War. By 1865, DC was one of the most heavily fortified cities in the world - with 68 forts and 93 batteries (armed with over 800 cannons). From here. 

Fort Totten, DC image by Matthew Brady, NARA ID 524908.

DC Arsenal Grounds (now Fort McNair), NARA ID 525153.

World War I Defense of DC

A military officer “guarding National Capital’s only railway bridge” (Aqueduct Bridge) 1917, NARA ID 45500542. 

Military tents on 8th St. SE in DC, WWI, NARA ID 55162995.

World War II Defense of DC

Auto cannon on the roof of the Government Printing Office, from the DC Public Library, online here.  

Three Sentries guard the War Dept. Building in DC (Constitution Ave. near the Ellipse), NARA ID 599062.

Defense of Washington, Munitions Building (near the White House at Constitution Ave.), 1942. NARA ID 598922.

“This is Washington at War... Soldiers on Guard, the Capitol Dome serene as ever,” Click Magazine 1942, online here. 

Civil War parade on Pennsylvania Ave., NW. NARA ID 518225.

WWII Victory Parade honoring Admiral Chester Nimitz, 10/5/1945, NARA ID199203.

Marines march past the National Archives, Army Day Parade in DC, 4/6/1937. NARA ID 12168482.

"AMERICANS ALL" Detachment standing at attention in front of the Capitol, 10/21/19, NARA ID 86734566.

First Division Parade, 28th Infantry on the Capitol steps, 9/17/19. NARA ID 86732339

First Division Parade, 18th Infantry, on the Capitol steps, 9/17/1919. NARA ID 86732337.

Showing WWI “War Trophy” on the Capitol steps, NARA ID 45555610.

See also:

Archivist David S. Ferriero Responds to Capitol Riots

Washington During Wartime story by Eliot Carter, Architect of the Capitol,