Forty-eight years passed between the end of World War II and the authorization by Congress to construct a memorial. Situated on the Mall in Washington, D.C., the 56-pillared memorial commemorates the states and territories of the U.S. at the time of the war. Two 43-foot arches at the north and south entries contain four American eagles holding a victory laurel. A Rainbow Pool, 24 bas-relief panels and a Freedom Wall complete the structure.