Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Two 75 m black granite walls sunk into the ground, engraved with the names of 58,261 Americans who died in the Vietnam War, dedicated in 1982. Maya Lin's minimalist design was so controversial at the time that two figurative additions were made: The Three Soldiers bronze group nearby and, later, the Vietnam Women's Memorial for the nurses who served. Visitors still leave letters, flowers and objects at the wall, and volunteers help relatives locate names and make rubbings. Around four million people a year come here; it is quieter and more sombre than the rest of the Mall, and best seen in the early morning or evening. Open 24 hours, free.