On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France.
National monuments are located in 31 states as well as in the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Minor Outlying Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Arizona, with 18, has the largest number of national monuments, followed by California with 15 and New Mexico with 14. At least 65 national monuments protect places of natural significance, including 12 geological sites, seven marine sites, and five volcanic sites.
After a nationwide competition in 1947, architect Eero Saarinenâs design for a giant stainless steel arch was chosen as the winning design. 1  Construction on the Arch began in 1963 and was completed in 1965. Since it opened, the Arch has been one of St. Louisâ most popular attractions with millions of people visiting every year. Fun Facts About the Arch. The Gateway Arch is 630 feet tall, making it the tallest national monument in the country. It is also 630 feet wide at its base and weighs more than 43,000 tons. The Arch may be heavy, but it moves. It was designed to sway with the wind.