1939 - November 15 – In Washington, D.C., U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt lays the cornerstone of the Jefferson Memorial.

On November 15, 1939, in Washington, D.C., President Franklin D. Roosevelt laid the cornerstone of the Jefferson Memorial, a significant event that marked the beginning of the construction of this iconic monument. The memorial was dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

The Jefferson Memorial's design, inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, was created by architect John Russell Pope. The memorial features a neoclassical style, reflecting Jefferson's admiration for classical architecture. It includes a bronze statue of Jefferson and excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, highlighting his contributions to American democracy and freedom.