This bronze statue of the famous scientist sits on the campus of the National Academy of Sciences. It was dedicated in 1979, 100 years after Einstein's birth. Photo by Adam Fagen.

This memorial has a very strange history. The monument to fallen American sailors off the coast of Cuba was gifted to President Coolidge in 1928 but mysteriously disappeared for several decades during the height of U.S./Cuba tensions. Photo by Flickr user cliff1066™.

The outstretched arms may recall a famous scene from the 1997 film, but this 1931 monument looking over the water memorializes the male passengers of the ship who gave up their lives so that the women and children could use the lifeboats. Photo by Tim Evanson

This large Greek Revival structure holds the former mayor of D.C. and his wife. Before its move to Oak Hill Cemetery, it stood in front of an orphanage in Penn Quarter. Photo by NCinDC.

The deceased singer/politician had a good friend in developer Geary Simon. This little 800 square foot triangle south of Dupont Circle has a chest carrying some of Bono's treasured artifacts buried underneath. Photo by Andy Buschap

This statue near the National Mall was meant to be an inspiration to drink water instead of liquor, but the water fountain has long since stopped working. Photo by Flickr user NCinDC.

This work of art in the Botanic Garden was named "The Fountain of Light and Water" but it is more commonly called the Bartholdi fountain, after its creator. Fun fact: he also designed the Statue of Liberty! Photo courtesy of the U.S. Capitol.

The coolest thing about this statue on the Ellipse is that the Boy Scouts of America paid for the memorial themselves. Photo by Robert Goodwin.

This may surpass the still-unbuilt Eisenhower Memorial the most controversial monument in the city. The Ukrainians even built a Museum of American Imperialism in agitated protest. Photo by Cesar Harada.

This glass and steel statue in Petworth by Allen Uzikee Nelson is in homage to the internationally renowned singer, athlete and activist. Photo by Valerie Paschall.

This granite block topped with a compass is the symbolic center of the city's and the country's system of roads. It's also hidden in plain site, right in front of the White House. Photo by Charles Smith.

Just because it's south of Dupont Circle doesn't mean it isn't obscure. This bronze relief is dedicated to the nuns who assisted soldiers during the Civil War. Photo by Ron Cogswell.

Just because it's in West Potomac Park near the Lincoln Memorial, doesn't mean it isn't overlooked. This dome dedicated to D.C. residents who died in World War I. It was also the first War Memorial to go up behind the Washington Monument. Photo by Adam Fagen.

This memorial is a series of bronze medallions honoring people that have dedicated their lives to service and the betterment of others. There's actually still room on this relatively new trail for future commemoration. Photo by Wally Gobetz.

Not so much memorial as really interesting public art, this statue showing the mythological God of the Sea sits in front of the Library of Congress. Photo by Flickr user Anne G.

This bench dedicated to French ambassador and Teddy Roosevelt confidant is well-hidden in Rock Creek Park. Photo by Daniel Lobo.

In theory, a monument that pays tribute to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation is a great one but the positions of the figures made it a controversial memorial even during its dedication. Photo by Flickr user yeowatzup.

These columns in the middle of the National Arboretum look like a Greek or Roman ruin, but in fact, they used to be a part of the Capitol Building. Photo by Paulo Ordoveza.

This entire home, where President Lincoln spent his summers and wrote the Emancipation Proclamation, is more of a museum than a memorial. That said, it's still been deemed a National Monument. Photo by Ron Cogswell.

This gilded statue in front of a Mt Pleasant apartment complex is an homage to a pioneer of radio technology. Photo by Flickr user NCinDC.

This large memorial, rife with symbolism sits in the middle of a small park in Mt. Vernon Square dedicated to this hero of the labor movement. Photo by Adam Gerard.

Although this isn't the city's most famous Navy war memorial, this aluminum wave is certainly a memorable structure. It sits in Lady Bird Johnson Park on Columbia Island and specifically commemorates the fallen naval and merchant marine soldiers from World War I. Photo by Flickr user Jack Says Relax.

Even though this Liberty Bell replica sits in front of the extraordinarily busy Union Station, folks hustling to their train may miss this one. Photo by Marjorie Morris Lipan.

This Mt. Pleasant equestrian statue is dedicated to one of the country's first Methodist bishops, Francis Asbury. Yes this "Prophet of the Long Road" is the namesake of Asbury Park, NJ. Photo by Mike McCaffrey.

This obelisk at the corner of the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge is actually older than the more famous one sitting in the middle of the National Mall. This one was dedicated in 1850 to celebrate the completion of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. Photo by Wally Gobetz.

Sculptor Nina Akamu's golden cranes were meant to symbolize the patriotism and plight of Japanese-American citizens during World War II. The names of those who died in internment camps surround the statue. Photo by Flickr user Brixton.