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Victims of Communism Memorial

The Victims of Communism Memorial is a memorial in Washington, D.C., located at the intersection of Massachusetts and New Jersey Avenues and G Street, NW, two blocks from Washington Union Station and within view of the U.S. Capitol. It is dedicated to “the more than one hundred million victims of communism” and was opened by President George W. Bush on June 12, 2007. The memorial features a bronze replica, made from photographs, of the Goddess of Democracy, which was originally erected by students during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre. The design and statue were created by sculptor Thomas Marsh.

Victims of Communism Memorial statue of a female figure holding a torch aloft against a blue sky.
The Victims of Communism Memorial statue stands with a raised torch beneath a bright blue sky.
October 2008 © · CC BY 2.0
Victims of Communism Memorial bronze statue of a draped female figure holding a torch on a dark pedestal.
The Victims of Communism Memorial shows a bronze female figure raising a torch above a dark pedestal.
© · Public domain
Victims of Communism Memorial statue of a robed figure holding a torch aloft.
The Victims of Communism Memorial features a robed figure holding a torch, set against a city backdrop.
© NPS Photo · Public domain
Victims of Communism Memorial statue viewed from below, with the female figure raising an object overhead against a bright sky and autumn leaves.
Low-angle view of the Victims of Communism Memorial statue with autumn foliage framing the sky.
October 2015 © · CC0
Victims of Communism Memorial statue of a draped female figure holding a torch overhead, with red signs in the foreground.
The Victims of Communism Memorial features a bronze female figure raising a torch above red signs in the foreground.
© White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian · Public domain

Identification

TitleVictims of Communism Memorial
Original-language nameDenkmal für die Opfer des Kommunismus
TypeMemorial / monument / political memorial
Original-language nameLe mémorial des victimes du communisme
Original-language nameMonumento a las Víctimas del Comunismo
Original-language nameПамятник жертвам коммунизма

Historical context

DedicationDedicated to more than one hundred million victims of communism
PurposeTo ensure that the history of communist tyranny will be taught to future generations
CommemoratesVictims of governments claiming to be communist
Dedication anniversary20th anniversary of Ronald Reagan's "tear down this wall" speech in front of the Berlin Wall

Creator

Designer and sculptorThomas Marsh
Related project by sculptorIn 1994, Thomas Marsh led a project to recreate the Goddess of Democracy in Chinatown, San Francisco

Discovery and provenance

Planning responsibilityVictims of Communism Memorial Foundation
FundraisingMore than US$825,000 was raised for construction and maintenance costs
Design approvalApproved by the National Capital Planning Commission in November 2005
SupportersLev E. Dobriansky, Grover Norquist, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and Lee Edwards
Authorization date17 December 1993
Authorization extensionSection 326 of Public Law 105-277 extended the authorization on 21 October 1998 until 17 December 2007
Public lawPublic Law 103-199, section 905
Signed into law byPresident Bill Clinton
Bill sponsorsDana Rohrabacher, Tom Lantos, Claiborne Pell, and Jesse Helms
Authorization billH.R. 3000

History and restoration

Notable attendeesNguyen Chi Thien, Harry Wu, and Nijolė Sadūnaitė
First anniversary ceremonyA ceremony was held on the first anniversary, organized by the International Committee for Crimea
Second remembrance ceremonyA ceremony was held on 9 June 2011 with representatives of ethnic and religious groups affected by communist regimes
Opened / dedicated byPresident George W. Bush
Opening ceremony attendeesHundreds of invited guests, including people from many countries who suffered under communist regimes
Opening / dedication date12 June 2007
Groundbreaking27 September 2006

Location and ownership

LocationWashington, D.C., United States
SiteAt the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, New Jersey Avenue, and G Street NW, two blocks from Union Station and within sight of the U.S. Capitol
VisibilityWithin sight of the U.S. Capitol

Physical characteristics

HeightAbout 3 meters (10 feet)
ComponentsA statue and a museum
FeatureBronze replica of the Goddess of Democracy

Materials

MaterialBronze
Original model materialPapier-mâché

Technique

Replica sourceMade from photographs

Iconography and meaning

Subject/modelA copy of the Goddess of Democracy
Original model contextErected by students during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre
Original model creatorsStudents of the Central Academy of Fine Arts of China
Relation to Statue of LibertyThe Goddess of Democracy was a rough copy of the Statue of Liberty
Inscription (front)To the more than one hundred million victims of communism and to those who love freedom
Inscription (back)To the freedom and independence of all captive nations and peoples
Dedication text / purposeTo the more than one hundred million victims of communism and those who love freedom
Purpose of memorial in Bush's speechA sacred place where communism's unknown victims will be remembered for history

Significance

Victim count citedMore than 100 million victims
Victim count statusDisputed; attributed to The Black Book of Communism, which has been strongly criticized by historians
Related campaign launched in 2022Victims of Communism Memorial Day