Most people in Bismarck have probably seen the Veterans Memorial at the state capitol grounds. But how many have inspected it up close? It’s got a unique distinguishing feature that you’d have to experience up close. Not only is the ceiling a perfect hemisphere, making for some interesting acoustics below…it also has a special way of celebrating North Dakota’s veterans every November 11th.

This globe in the middle of the memorial also sits near the focal point of the ceiling above. Strategically placed in the side of the sphere is a tunnel, pointing down at the globe from the southeast.

As the big brass plate on the pedestal of the globe says, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the sun shines through that portal and illuminates the state of North Dakota, which is raised on the map. It is normally polished too, but is somewhat tarnished right now. I’m sure that’ll be touched up either for Spring or certainly for Veteran’s Day.

I’ve never been able to make it here at 11am on November 11th, the day that Veteran’s Day is always celebrated. Perhaps next winter I’ll be able to post a photo of the raised ND illuminated by the 11 o’clock sun.