The number of deaths in the United States due to COVID-19 has now passed 675,000—more than the number of Americans who died during the 1918 influenza pandemic. In Washington, D.C., a new temporary art installation named “In America: Remember,” commemorates the many Americans who have died of COVID-19 over the past year and a half. Hundreds of thousands of small white flags were planted on 20 acres of the National Mall, based on a concept by the artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg. Each flag is meant to represent a life lost, and many carry messages written to loved ones.
A Sea of Flags: Commemorating More Than 675,000 Americans Lost to COVID-19
Hints:
View this page full screen.
Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.
-
![A person sits and looks at a sea of small white flags on the grass of the National Mall.]()
Read moreA person looks at white flags that are part of the artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg's temporary installation "In America: Remember," in remembrance of Americans who have died of COVID-19, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., September 17, 2021. #
Brynn Anderson / AP -
-
![A view from the top of the Washington Monument, looking down on hundreds of thousands of small flags arranged in squares on the grass below]()
Read moreSeen from atop the Washington Monument, people walk through the flags of the "In America: Remember" public art installation on September 19, 2021. #
Al Drago / Getty -
![People stand near many small white flags, in front of a large sign that reads "In America: Remember. 673,484"]()
Read morePeople visit the "In America: Remember" installation on September 18, 2021, in Washington, D.C. #
Robert Nickelsberg / Getty -
![A small white flag has a message written on it: "Gabriel Daoud, I love and miss you every day. You deserved so much better than this. Not a day goes by that I don''t think about you."]()
Read moreA message is seen written on a white flag on the National Mall on September 18, 2021. #
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP / Getty -
-
![An elevated view of most of the white flags]()
Read moreAn elevated view of visitors walking through the flags of the "In America: Remember" installation on September 19, 2021 #
Al Drago / Getty -
![A personal message is written on a flag, addressed to a "Beloved husband & Daddy to 3."]()
Read moreA personal note is seen written on a white flag at the "In America: Remember" installation near the Washington Monument on September 18, 2021. #
Robert Nickelsberg / Getty -
![The White House is seen through flags of the installation.]()
Read moreThe White House is seen through flags of the "In America: Remember" installation on September 18, 2021. #
Anna Moneymaker / Getty -
-
![A couple looks at the white flags that are part of the installation.]()
Read morePeople look at the white flags that are part of the installation on September 17, 2021. #
Brynn Anderson / AP -
![A note is seen on a white flag.]()
Read moreA note is seen written on a white flag, among the hundreds of thousands of others on the National Mall on September 17, 2021. #
Brynn Anderson / AP -
![Many small white flags, the Washington Monument in the background]()
Read moreWith the Washington Monument in the background, white flags are displayed on September 17, 2021. #
Brynn Anderson / AP -
-
![People walk through the flags, seen from above]()
Read morePeople walk through the flags near the Washington Monument on September 19, 2021. #
Al Drago / Getty -
![A person sits among the may flags of the "In America: Remember" project.]()
Read moreZoe Nassimoff of Argentina looks at white flags that are part of the artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg's temporary art installation "In America: Remember" on September 17, 2021. Nassimoff's grandparent, who lived in Florida, died from COVID-19. #
Brynn Anderson / AP
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.