Pentagon Building, Virginia

Location and Description

The Pentagon Building is located in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. It is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense and is one of the world's largest office buildings. The building has five sides, each 921 feet long, and a total floor area of 6.6 million square feet. It is so large that it has its own zip code (22202).

History

The Pentagon was built during World War II in just 16 months, opening in 1943. It was designed by architect George Bergstrom and was originally intended to be a temporary structure. However, it has remained the headquarters of the Department of Defense ever since.

Security

The Pentagon is one of the most secure buildings in the world. It is surrounded by a fence and guarded by armed military personnel. Visitors must pass through security checkpoints before entering the building.

9/11 Attack

On September 11, 2001, the Pentagon was attacked by terrorists who flew a hijacked plane into the building. The attack killed 184 people, including 59 passengers and crew members on the plane. The attack caused significant damage to the building, but it was quickly repaired and reopened.

Tours

The Pentagon offers public tours of the building, which include a visit to the 9/11 Memorial. Tours are free and can be booked online.