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One of the great pleasures a traveler may take in Washington DC is to explore the side streets just off the Mall, along Pennsylvania Avenue, where visitors will discover a number of historic buildings. At the intersection of Pennsylvania and 12th Street, there’s the Old Post Office Pavilion , which is also known as the Old Post Office and Clock Tower. The official name of the building, however, from 1983 on, has been the Nancy Hanks Center.

Nancy Hanks, who lived from 1927 to 1983, was the second chairman for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) , serving from 1969 to 1977 and appointed by President Richard M. Nixon, and continued to serve for President Gerald R. Ford. She was active during this time to save the historic building from demolition. The building today now offers shopping and places to eat and is the home, too, of the NEA.

Originally, the building was built on the verge of a new century, in 1899, and was the first government building with its own electric power plant. Inside, you’ll find offerings of international food, interesting shops, and musical events, all planned to entertain audiences for lunch, mid-day, and after work.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the Old Post Office, though, is the Clock Tower, which rises 315 feet above the city, providing terrific views in 360 degrees. From here, it’s possible to see many famous landmarks, perhaps even where you’ve chosen to stay at one of the best hotels in Washington .

National Park Service Rangers give Clock Tower tours each day, and everyone, from individuals to large groups, are welcome to attend. Inside the clock tower, visitors will find the official United States’ Bells of Congress, which was a bicentennial gift from England to celebrate the end of the Revolutionary War. These Bells of Congress are rung every Thursday night and on special occasions by the Washington Ringing Society.

You may arrange for a free tour and find out more information by dialing (202) 606 8691. If you’re traveling in the summer, the Clock Tower is open to the public from nine in the morning to eight in the evening, Mondays through Saturdays; and from ten in the morning to six in the evening on Sunday. After Labor Day until the following Memorial Day, the hours are nine in the morning to five in the afternoon, Monday through Saturday. The hours on Sunday remain the same year round.

Corruption in the form of terrorism, affected the United States in an earth-shattering and a heart-breaking way, eight years ago, on this date.  While a nation watched, gripped in horror, the two towers of the the World Trade Center fell, taking with them, hundreds upon thousands of souls.  It is a day that will forever remain in the minds and the hearts of those not only living in New York at the time, but every single person across the United States, and in most cities around the world.  Today, during a memorial service held in New York, a father who lost his son this on this day eight years ago, stated that the rain was not simply rain, but tears for what had happened, on the grounds where the Towers once stood.

United States President, Barack Obama, observed for the first time in his office as the nation’s leader, this day of remembrance, reflecting upon and a considering a view toward the future.  He proclaimed that this day, is not only one of remembrance, but for now and ever more…a day of service.  And he mentioned as well, that this day 8 years ago, served to not only unite the country with a shared grief, but gathered people together, gathered them together with a patriotism that bound each and every American citizen together.  A notion of patriotism that was not only proud, but one that signified the love of this country and the love of one another, shared by all those that have immigrated here, and those that were born here.

Eight years ago, there were many victims, but there were many heroes as well.  And in New York City today, in 2009, people from the United Way and the Red Cross…people from soup kitchens and shelters, gathered together to honor and to remember what they themselves and those they love experienced, and to remember and honor the acts of bravery performed by the NYPD and the NY Fire Department.This is a day, much as the day of September 12, 2001 was, a day of just taking a look at those around oneself, and holding them closely.