Its beams are rusting. Its concrete slabs are falling. However on this Wednesday in December, the soul of RFK Stadium lived on in items of the wreckage.
Washington, D.C
Fans find nostalgia in the wreckage of RFK stadium
The duct introduced Larry Spalding nearer to his father, who had talked of how putting in the stadium’s air flow was considered one of his life’s highlights earlier than he died at 48. The elevator panel reminded Elyse Horvath of what it was prefer to trip up and down with their grandmother, who introduced them to the stadium as a child as a result of she knew these buttons helped ease her granddaughter’s anxiousness. And the orange seat with paint peeling off the underside made Sebastian Amar really feel 13 once more, consuming hen fingers with honey mustard and believing that the quantity of his screams may change the rating of the sport.
“I have a look at this rustic falling aside decrepit stadium, and I want we had stayed as a result of it was our decrepit, rusting, falling aside stadium,” Amar mentioned, staring on the tan, drained constructing.
RFK, situated on the Anacostia River two miles east of the U.S. Capitol, was the house of Washington sports activities groups and their followers for practically six many years. It hosted the group now often known as the Commanders within the Eighties and early Nineties, when the franchise gained three Tremendous Bowl championships. It held D.C.’s baseball group by way of their transition from the Senators to the Nationals. It was dwelling to D.C. United when the group introduced skilled soccer to the nation’s capital for the primary time. Followers used bounce and cheer with such pressure that the entire constructing shook.
The stadium is scheduled to be demolished by the top of subsequent yr, after the town determined in 2019 to tear it down. Occasions D.C., which managed the stadium, is making use of its elements. They supplied orange seats from the lower-bowl on the market, and plan to do the identical with the yellow and burgundy seats from the higher bowl over the following yr. The group responded to particular person requests, too, for different fragments of the constructing that carry sentimental worth for followers. They gave away a few of these items free.
Plans for the 190-acre house stay unclear, particularly as a result of the federal authorities, moderately than the town, owns the land. However these followers on Wednesday weren’t targeted on the longer term. They every held their scrap gingerly, its contact transporting them again to the previous.
Spalding mentioned he doesn’t keep in mind a lot about his dad — who died from mind most cancers when Spalding 10 years outdated — aside from vivid recollections of their time collectively within the automobile. John Spalding used to ensure to take a route by way of the town that included a superb view of RFK Stadium, so he may level to the constructing and say to Larry, “I helped construct that.”
The older Spalding had returned from his deployment throughout World Conflict II and bought an apprenticeship with a metallic working firm, which was employed to put in air flow for the brand new stadium. Larry recalled how his father advised him about using a motor scooter across the hallways of the stadium to test the duct work. “I’d lose my abdomen,” John would say, laughing whereas describing the feeling of racing over bumps within the concrete. Then he would discover a velocity bump within the highway and step on the gasoline, permitting his son to really feel the identical lurch in his stomach.
“I keep in mind him dying. I keep in mind him working on a regular basis. However that’s the solely time, him speaking about RFK, once I may see a twinkle in his face,” Larry Spalding mentioned.
On Wednesday, the now 65-year-old lifted the chunk of metallic, largely burnt orange and bent on the nook. He plans to border a chunk of it alongside an outdated {photograph} of his father and an image of the stadium — “when it was new,” he clarified.
Horvath, 26 and autistic, has at all times discovered elevator buttons soothing. They remembered significantly having fun with the feeling of the buttons within the RFK elevator, which had ridges across the circles and have been usually onerous to press down. Their grandma, who was a fan of the soccer group, used to take Horvath to the stadium as a child — partly due to the video games, however largely as a result of she knew her granddaughter beloved the structure and using within the elevator.
In 2017, Horvath got here throughout a video of the RFK elevator and was shocked to see it had nonetheless not been up to date for the reason that Nineteen Sixties.
“It’s not straightforward to search out authentic elevators nowadays,” they recalled pondering, and set their sights on acquiring a panel from the constructing.
Horvath picked it up on Wednesday, operating their fingers over the inspection change and buttons to the second and third flooring. The third-floor button sank into the board.
“I’m going to scrub up the again so I can push the buttons with out them falling out,” they mentioned.
Amar, now 39, thought of stealing Seat 18 when he went to the final D.C. United recreation on the stadium 5 years in the past. He noticed different followers round him attempting to yank the long-lasting orange chairs out of the bottom however determined on the final minute to play by the principles. He regretted it the second he stepped into the parking zone.
For Amar, these seats and that stadium have been synonymous together with his childhood. His dad, from Morocco, had grown up with soccer on the heart of his life. The second D.C. had its group, Jacques Amar, Sebastian’s father, knew he wished his children to have the identical expertise, Sebastian mentioned. He bought season tickets that yr, making his household a part of the Authentic 96ers — the followers who’ve been dedicated to the group since their first season.
The Amar household spent each dwelling recreation at RFK, Sebastian Amar mentioned. They tailgated in Lot 8. They devoured carne asada from the meals vans, as soon as these popped up. They walked in collectively by way of Gate A, the place it felt like they collectively crossed a threshold from the stresses of regular life into an area the place they solely talked concerning the referee and who was enjoying properly that day. They listened to a person who performed the drum so loudly that it made the seats vibrate.
“It was a bodily feeling,” Sebastian Amar mentioned. “You actually can and do consider as a fan that you may will your group to success, and a part of that’s how a lot do you give from the stands.”
The stadium is the place younger Sebastian Amar noticed his first combat (“Hear, that occurs typically in soccer,” his dad advised him). It is usually the place Jacques Amar was honored in 2013, after he died of leukemia. The group held a second of silence for him that spring, Sebastian Amar mentioned, at a recreation in opposition to the New York Pink Bulls.
Sebastian Amar nonetheless has season tickets to D.C. United video games, although the group now performs at Audi Discipline.
He put his hand on Seat 18 and appeared towards Gate A, which had a light D.C. United protect above the door.
“It seems like the brand new stadium is constructed for the informal fan,” he mentioned, referring to Audi Discipline. “RFK was for the die-hards.”
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and America250 Chair Rosie Rios joined students at a bilingual elementary school to kickoff D.C.’s chapter of the commission preparing to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and America250 Chair Rosie Rios joined students at a bilingual elementary school to kickoff D.C.’s chapter of the commission preparing to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Students at Powell Bilingual Elementary School in Petworth greeted Bowser with a rousing introduction, as she introduced them to a new vocabulary word: “Semiquincentennial.” The word describes the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Bowser told the students D.C.’s 250th celebration should be the biggest and the best, and said, “Throwing a big party for thousands of people is a big task. But in Washington, D.C., we welcome visitors for big events all the time.”
D.C.’s festivities, though, will be part of a nationwide effort to throw a celebration of America like none other.
America250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to involve Americans from every state and U.S. territory in the Semiquincentennial, which will be in 2026.
Rios told the students about “America’s Field Trip,” explaining it’s a contest for those in “grades 3-12 who get to answer the question, ‘What does America mean to me?’ The beauty of this program is that the award recipients get to choose from a series of backstage experiences with our federal agencies, most of which have never been offered to the public before.”
Those field trip sites include a variety of historic and cultural landmarks across the country.
Rios recalled the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, when she was just 10 years old. Her parents had come to the U.S. from Mexico in 1958, and she said the evening of July 4, 1976, “was a cloudy night in Heyward, California, but those fireworks were never brighter.”
“On that night, I felt I had the whole world in front of me. I did feel that anything was possible,” Rios said.
She said she’s eager to hear from others about their family histories and their hopes and dreams for the future.
Another feature of the America250 celebration is “Our American Story,” which includes a chance for residents to nominate someone they know to share their histories, which, if selected, will be preserved at the Library of Congress.
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WASHINGTON – Nearly a quarter million ticketed guests are expected to attend Donald Trump’s second inauguration on Monday, January 20, 2025, in the nation’s capital. The festivities begin over the weekend and continue until the Tuesday following Inauguration Day.
On Monday, the ceremony will take place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Security screening gates are expected to open at 5 a.m. Ticketed guests should arrive by 11:30 a.m.
Here are some key events on the schedule if you are planning to attend:
Timeline:
Saturday, January 18
Trump will attend a reception and fireworks display at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.
Vice President-elect JD Vance will participate in a reception for incoming Cabinet members and host a dinner.
READ MORE: Inauguration Day: Security tightens in DC one week before Trump takes office
Sunday, January 19
Trump will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
Trump will hold a MAGA Victory rally at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., at 3 p.m., with a performance by the Village People.
Trump will host a candlelight dinner with campaign donors.
Monday, January 20 (Inauguration Day)
Trump will attend a worship service at St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown D.C.
Trump and incoming first lady Melania Trump will join the Bidens for tea at the White House.
Inauguration Day Forecast: Slight chance for snow showers early Monday
What we know:
Inaugural Ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol
The ceremonies will take place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.
Security screening gates open at 5 a.m., music begins at 9:30 a.m. Ticketed guests should arrive by 11:30 a.m.
The theme, “Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise,” recognizes the Founders’ commitment to preserving democracy.
Carrie Underwood will perform “America the Beautiful” before Trump takes the oath of office at 12 p.m. Former Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton are expected to attend.
A farewell to former President Biden and Vice President Harris will occur around noon.
Trump will gather with aides and lawmakers for the President’s Signing Room Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol to sign executive orders or memorandums.
The JCCIC Congressional Luncheon will follow, attended by the new president, vice president, Senate leaders, and JCCIC members.
Trump will review military troops at the East Front steps of the U.S. Capitol, followed by a presidential parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
READ MORE: Inauguration Day 2025: Road closures, routes and timing
At the White House, Trump will participate in the traditional Oval Office signing ceremony for executive orders or nominations.
Trump will attend three Inaugural balls: Commander in Chief Ball, Liberty Inaugural Ball, and the Starlight Ball. He is scheduled to speak at all three balls.
- Commander in Chief Ball focused on military service members
- Liberty Inaugural Ball geared toward Trump supporters
- Starlight Ball will focus on high-dollar donors
What’s next:
Tuesday, January 21
Trump will attend the National Prayer Service, an interfaith event at the Washington National Cathedral.
The Source: Information in this article comes from The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, and the Associated Press.
As D.C. prepares for Inauguration Day, tens of thousands of activists are preparing to make their voices heard.
Days before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in at the U.S. Capitol again, several grassroots groups will descend on the District Saturday for the People’s March, which has the same organizers behind the 2017 Women’s March.
“Talking about immigration, talking about peace, talking about abortion access, talking about racial justice and reproductive justice,” said Tamika Middleon, the managing director for Women’s March.
Like previous marches, organizers say Saturday’s event is part of a long term resistance strategy to proposed policies of the incoming Trump Administration
“And so we are trying to create opportunities for people to be together, and that’s really our message, is for people to find ways for them to engage with each other,” Middleon said.
Several Metro stations and several streets will be closed Monday for the inauguration, but the 18th will also be a busy day on D.C. roads
People’s March organizers say there will be three meet up locations Saturday before they march to the Lincoln Memorial: Farragut Square, where groups will focus on democracy, immigration, climate and military; Franklin Park, a starting point for gender justice activists, women’s rights and LGBTQ+ groups; and McPherson Square, ground zero for many local grassroots organizations.
“We’re going to be specifically focusing on D.C. issues,” said Megan Salmon with Spaces in Action.
Salmon said they’ve been busy coordinating with local volunteers ahead of Saturday, and even though a lot has changed since Trump took office in 2017, their commitment to the cause hasn’t — and they’re ready for what’s next.
“Organizers have been preparing for a moment like this for way longer than it was talked about, so it wasn’t just since the election, it wasn’t just since the campaign trail,” Salmon said. “I do think that the resistance is strategic, but I do think that’s not just a reflection of the moment we’re in. I think it’s a longer term fight.”
All of those groups are set to meet up at the Lincoln Memorial, and that big rally is scheduled to go from about 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
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