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The Pentagon

Explorer · ages 7 and underAdapted from Wikipedia
An aerial view of the Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, with the Potomac River and the Washington Monument in the distance.

What Is the Pentagon?

The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. It sits in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

People often say "The Pentagon" to mean the leaders of the department. This is because the building stands for the U.S. military.

Where Is It?

The Pentagon is near Arlington National Cemetery, Pentagon City, and Crystal City. Its west side faces Washington Boulevard.

The Pentagon is the world's third-largest office building. It has five sides and five floors above the ground. Many people work inside, and there are places to eat, exercise, and pray.

How It Was Built

The building was designed by American architect George Bergstrom. It was built by a company led by John McShain. Work began in 1941, during a difficult time when countries did not get along.

The building opened on 15 January 1943. Steel was hard to get, so most of it was made of strong concrete.

A Place to Remember

A very sad event happened at the Pentagon in 2001. In 2008, an outdoor memorial opened near the building. It helps people remember those who were there.

The Hall of Heroes inside the building honors people who received the Medal of Honor. This is the highest award the U.S. military gives.

Quiz time!

3 questions about The Pentagon

Question 1 of 3

Where is the Pentagon?

Pictures

An aerial view of the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, where rescue workers responded after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, seen from the south parking lot. This photo was taken in September 2007, when preparations were underway for events marking the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
A hot dog stand in the middle of the Pentagon's courtyard, which was once rumored during the Cold War to hide a secret underground bunker. It was later taken down.
A 1918 view from the top of the Washington Monument shows the Main Navy and Munitions Buildings, temporary wartime structures on the National Mall, with the Potomac River in the distance.
A 1945 USGS map showing the roads and land around the Pentagon in Virginia, shortly after the Pentagon's road network was built.
The entrance to the Hall of Heroes, located on the main concourse of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
Military police keep back protesters during a sit-in at the Mall Entrance to the Pentagon in October 1967, during a large anti-war demonstration.
The Pentagon under construction in July 1942, photographed from the northwest as work on the building moved forward.
The Pentagon building in Virginia, lit up in blue lights to remember the September 11 attacks in 2001.
The Pentagon Memorial at dusk, a peaceful place built to remember the people who died in the attacks on September 11, 2001.
The Pentagon (light blue) compared to large ships and buildings:  The Pentagon, 1,414 feet, 431 m  RMS Queen Mary 2, 1,132 feet, 345 m  USS Enterprise, 1,123 feet, 342 m  Hindenburg, 804 feet, 245 m  Yamato, 863 feet, 263 m  Empire State Building, 1,454 feet, 443 m  Seawise Giant, 1,503 feet, 458 m  Apple Park, 1,522 feet, 464 m

Keep exploring

Pentagon
Arlington County, Virginia
Potomac River
Washington, D.C.
Arlington National Cemetery

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on The Pentagon, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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