Boston Common's War-Winning Monument

From the chaotic Departure for the War to the victorious Return from the War, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Boston Common conceals a story of soldiers and sailors who died in the American Civil War in plain sight. Here's the lowdown. The monument, erected towards the end of the 19th century, is a neoclassical masterpiece, standing tall at 126 feet and made of Hallowell white granite. But this isn't just a pretty sight - it's a treasure trove of history and symbolism.

On its platform sit four bas-relief bronze tablets, each with its own story to tell. The first, The Departure for the War, depicts a regiment marching by the Massachusetts State House. The second, titled The Sanitary Commission, shows the medical care on the battlefield. The third, likely depicting a Union engagement against the CSS Virginia, is called Untitled. The fourth, The Return from the War, shows soldiers presenting their battle flags to Governor John Albion Andrew.

Above the bas-relief tablets are four 8-foot granite figures, each representing a section of the reunited nation. And above them sits AMERICA herself, with her thirteen-star tiara, her US flag, her laurel wreath, and her sword. She's ready to fight. But for a long time, these bases were empty, leading to rumors that the monument was never finished or that the statues were missing. But in 2014, they returned after restoration, done in nearby Watertown.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons