1982Reputable sourceWell documented
The Wall: Vietnam Veterans Memorial
On the timeline · around 1982 ·
What happened
In 1982 the Vietnam Veterans Memorial opened in Washington, D.C. Designed by 21-year-old student Maya Lin, its stark black granite wall is inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 Americans who died or went missing in the war.
Why it matters
After a war that bitterly divided the country and where returning veterans were often shunned, 'the Wall' became a place of national mourning and, slowly, reconciliation.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica. Vietnam Veterans Memorial · Reputable source