Discovering Mount Rushmore

Four children from a small town called Keystone in the state of South Dakota, USA, decided to go on an adventure. They had heard many stories about the famous Mount Rushmore that was near their town and were excited to learn more about it.

Mount Rushmore, a gigantic sculpture carved into the side of a mountain, was built between 1927 and 1941. A talented sculptor named Gutzon Borglum, along with his son Lincoln Borglum and their team, worked tirelessly to create this masterpiece. The four children were eager to find out why this sculpture was built and who the faces on it were.

As the children started their adventure, they first went to one of their grandpa’s, Professor Roe. Professor Roe was well-versed in history and loved sharing his knowledge with the young explorers. He explained to the children that Mount Rushmore was built to promote tourism in South Dakota and to celebrate the birth, growth, preservation, and development of the United States.

The children listened intently as Professor Roe described the four important American presidents carved into the mountain. He began with George Washington, the first president of the United States. Washington was known as the “Father of the Country” because he led the American colonies to victory against the British in the Revolutionary War and helped establish the United States Constitution.

Next was Thomas Jefferson, the third president, who was famous for writing the Declaration of Independence and for the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States. The children were amazed to learn that Jefferson was also an inventor, an architect, and an advocate for public education.

The third face on Mount Rushmore was that of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, who was known for his role in preserving the Union during the Civil War and for signing the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared freedom for enslaved people in the United States. The children admired Lincoln’s courage and determination.

Finally, Professor Roe spoke about Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president, who was chosen for his work in conservation and for his role in constructing the Panama Canal. Roosevelt was also known for his belief in the “Square Deal,” which meant that all Americans should have an equal opportunity to succeed.

As the children marveled at the stories of these great leaders, they wondered how Mount Rushmore was actually made. Professor Roe explained that the team of workers used dynamite to blast away the rock, creating the initial shape of the sculptures. Then, they used jackhammers and chisels to refine the features, working carefully to ensure the final result was both accurate and beautiful.

The children also asked if Mount Rushmore was ever renovated. Professor Roe replied that while the monument is inspected regularly to ensure its stability, it hasn’t required any major renovations since its completion. However, in the past, there have been discussions about adding more faces to the mountain or creating a similar monument featuring other important figures in American history.

Feeling inspired the children thanked Professor Roe for sharing his wisdom and went on a trip to explore the area around Mount Rushmore. They learned about the Native American heritage in the region and discovered the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is being carved into another nearby mountain to honor the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse and the Native American people.

After a long day of adventure and learning, the children returned to their homes in Keystone, filled with awe and appreciation for the history of their country. They knew they would never forget the incredible stories of Mount Rushmore and the importance of the presidents carved into the mountain.


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