Editing National Mall (section)

====Other events====
[[File:MarianAndersonLincolnMemorial.png|thumb|upright=1.1|The April 9, 1939, concert by [[Marian Anderson]], facing east from the Lincoln Memorial]]
On April 9, 1939, singer [[Marian Anderson]] gave an [[Easter]] Sunday concert at the Lincoln Memorial after the [[Daughters of the American Revolution]] (DAR) denied a request by [[Howard University]] for her to give an Easter performance at the DAR's nearby [[Racial segregation in the United States|racially segregated]] [[DAR Constitution Hall|Constitution Hall]] (see: [[Marian Anderson#1939 Lincoln Memorial concert|Marian Anderson's 1939 Lincoln Memorial concert]]). The event, which 75,000 people attended, occurred after President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] gave his assent for the performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/aboutfdr/anderson.html |title=Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson|publisher=[[Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum]]|access-date=2013-09-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Arsenault|first=Raymond|title=The Sound of Freedom: Marian Anderson, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Concert that Awakened America|url=https://archive.org/details/soundoffreedomma00arse_0|url-access=registration|location=New York|publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing|Bloomsbury Press]]|year=2009|isbn=9781596915787|via=[[Internet Archive]]|access-date=November 17, 2019|archive-date=March 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323193445/http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/aboutfdr/anderson.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The 1976 [[United States Bicentennial]] celebration provided the motivation for planning to accommodate large numbers of expected visitors to the National Mall. A number of major memorials were added to the Mall throughout that period.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan/Documents/FEIS/Volume%201/5_The_Affected_Environment.pdf |page=263 |title=The Affected Environment |work=Final National Mall Plan/Environmental Impact Statement: The National Mall |year=2010 |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |access-date=2017-03-14 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304021445/https://www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan/Documents/FEIS/Volume%201/5_The_Affected_Environment.pdf|archive-date=2017-03-04}}</ref> On May 21, 1976, Constitution Gardens was dedicated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan/Documents/ConstitutionGardens_CLI_2008.pdf|title=Constitution Gardens: National Mall & Memorial Parks – West Potomac Park|work=National Park Service Cultural Landscapes Inventory|year=2008|page=51|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=[[National Park Service]]|access-date=2017-06-19|archive-date=June 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619161919/https://www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan/Documents/ConstitutionGardens_CLI_2008.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 1, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum opened.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://airandspace.si.edu/about/history/museum-dc|title=Museum in DC|work=History|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: [[Smithsonian Institution]]|access-date=2017-06-19|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706141805/https://airandspace.si.edu/about/history/museum-dc|archive-date=2016-07-06}}</ref> On July 4, the Bicentennial fireworks display on the Mall attracted one million viewers, making it second only to the [[Second inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson|1965 presidential inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson]] as the largest event in the Mall's history up to that time.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305070305/http://www.politico.com/story/2008/10/largest-events-held-on-national-mall-015039|archive-date=2016-03-05|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2008/10/largest-events-held-on-national-mall-015039|title=Largest events held on National Mall|author=Politico staff|work=[[Politico]]|date=2008-10-28|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref>

On Sunday, October 9, 1979, [[Pope John Paul II]] celebrated [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] on the National Mall during a visit to Washington.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103070813/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-03-29-papal-visit_N.htm|archive-date=2012-11-03|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-03-29-papal-visit_N.htm|title=Public likely to see less of Pope Benedict than John Paul|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=2008-03-29|access-date=2015-01-03}}</ref> The celebration took place after an [[appellate court]] denied a motion for an [[injunction]] that [[atheist]]s [[Madalyn Murray O'Hair]] and [[Jon Garth Murray]] had filed to prevent the event from occurring.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103193726/https://law.resource.org/pub/us/case/reporter/F2/613/613.F2d.931.79-2170.html|archive-date=2015-01-03|url=https://law.resource.org/pub/us/case/reporter/F2/613/613.F2d.931.79-2170.html|title=613 F.2d 931: 198 U.S.App.D.C. 198: Madalyn Murray O'HAIR and Jon Garth Murray, Appellants, v. Cecil ANDRUS, Secretary of the Interior, et al.: No. 79-2170: United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit|publisher=[[Public.Resource.Org]]|date=1979-11-14|access-date=2015-01-03}}</ref>

From 1980 through 1982, [[the Beach Boys]] and [[the Grass Roots]] performed Independence Day concerts on the Mall, attracting large crowds.<ref>{{cite news|title=July 4: Day of Music, Parades, Fireworks|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=1982-07-03|page=D1}}</ref><ref name=McCombs>{{cite news|last=McCombs|first=Phil|date=1983-04-06|title=Watt Outlaws Rock Music on Mall for July 4|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|page=A.1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=McCombs |first1=Phil |last2=Harrington |first2=Richard |date=1983-04-07|title=Watt Sets Off Uproar with Music Ban|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|pages=A.1, A.17}}</ref> However, in April 1983, [[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of the Interior]] [[James G. Watt]], banned Independence Day concerts on the Mall by such groups.

Watt said that "[[rock band]]s" that had performed on the Mall on Independence Day in 1981 and 1982 had encouraged drug use and alcoholism and had attracted "the wrong element", who would [[robbery|mug]] individuals and families attending any similar events in the future.<ref name=McCombs/> Watt then announced that [[Las Vegas]] crooner [[Wayne Newton]], a friend and supporter of [[Presidency of Ronald Reagan|President Ronald Reagan]] and a contributor to [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] political campaigns, would perform at the Mall's 1983 Independence Day celebration.<ref name=McCombs/><ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117074349/http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Wayne_Newton.php|archive-date=2013-01-17|url=http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Wayne_Newton.php|title=Campaign contributions of Wayne Newton|date=2012-01-16|publisher=NEWSMEAT by Polity Media, Inc.|access-date=2015-03-04}}</ref>

During the ensuing uproar, [[Rob Grill]], lead singer of the Grass Roots, stated that he felt "highly insulted" by Watt's remarks, which he called "nothing but un-American".<ref name=McCombs/> The Beach Boys stated that the [[Soviet Union]], which had invited them to perform in [[Leningrad]] in 1978, "obviously .... did not feel that the group attracted the wrong element".<ref name=McCombs/> [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[George H. W. Bush]] said of the Beach Boys, "They're my friends and I like their music".<ref name=McCombs/>

On July 3, 1983, thousands attended a heavily policed "Rock Against Reagan" concert that the [[hardcore punk|hardcore punk rock]] band, [[Dead Kennedys]], performed on the Mall in response to Watt's action.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite web|last=Smith|first=R.J. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021022023148/http://www.deadkennedysnews.com/art020100.htm |archive-date=2002-10-22 |url=http://www.deadkennedysnews.com/art020100.htm |title=Punk Rock On Trial |work=Dead Kennedys News |date=2000-02-01 |access-date=2015-03-04 |quote=It was surely the biggest show of Dead Kennedys' career, and Ronald Reagan made it all possible. In 1983, one of his cabinet members canceled a fourth of July Beach Boys concert on federal grounds in Washington, D.C., fearing the band would bring the wrong element to the capital. The move looked like crackbrained politics on every level &ndash; the administration appeared painfully out of touch (banning the Beach Boys?), and the official who canned the show didn't even realize that the band was publicly down with the Reagans. This was political theater of the absurd, and it was therefore a place where Dead Kennedys felt exceedingly at home. The San Francisco foursome took action, putting together a punk-rock festival on the Mall, the expanse of lawn stretching between the Washington Monument and the Capitol building. They were goading the government to try to stop them. Instead, thousands of punks filled the grounds that day, and skinny DK's frontman [[Jello Biafra]] greeted them by comparing the Monument to a giant hooded Klansman. As he jumped around like an insane marionette to their ornery punkability, government helicopters hovered over the stage and D.C. cops nervously patrolled the edge of the throng.}}
* {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223202239/http://sites.google.com/site/livedeadkennedys/1983/19830703 |archive-date=2011-02-23 |url=https://www.sites.google.com/site/livedeadkennedys/1983/19830703 |title=1983-07-03 - Rock Against Reagan, National Mall, Washington, DC |work=Dead Kennedys Concert Guide |access-date=2015-03-04 }}
* {{cite news|last=Richards |first=Chris |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/click-track/post/dave-grohl-glancing-back-blasting-forward/2011/04/08/AFk5w02C_blog.html |title=Dave Grohl, glancing back, blasting forward |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2011-04-08 |access-date=2015-03-04 |quote=On a family trip to Illinois in summer 1983, Grohl's older cousin switched him on to punk rock – something that really clicked back home in July at a Dead Kennedys show on the National Mall. "There were cops on horses beating the [expletive] out of people. There were police helicopters." |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512005827/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/click-track/post/dave-grohl-glancing-back-blasting-forward/2011/04/08/AFk5w02C_blog.html |archive-date=2015-05-12}}</ref> When Newton entered an Independence Day stage on the Mall on July 4, members of his audience [[booing|booed]].<ref name=Gettysburg>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=soE0AAAAIBAJ&pg=2280,5284705&hl=en|first=Tim (Associated Press)|last=Ahern|title=Newton concert goes off despite rain|newspaper=[[Gettysburg Times]]|page=7|date=1983-07-05|access-date=2010-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916161207/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=soE0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=AegFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2280,5284705&hl=en|archive-date=2013-09-16|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SdcxAAAAIBAJ&pg=3000,2778153&hl=en|title=Newton Performance Dampened by Rain|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=[[Reading Eagle]]|page=27|date=1983-07-05|access-date=2010-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916145946/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SdcxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=muMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3000,2778153&hl=en|archive-date=2013-09-16|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|first=John|last=Katsilometes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091101124433/http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2009/oct/30/newtons-recounting-1983-show-national-mall-telling/|archive-date=2009-11-01|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2009/oct/30/newtons-recounting-1983-show-national-mall-telling|title=Newton's recounting of Beach Boys controversy a telling moment in 'Once Before I Go'|newspaper=[[Las Vegas Sun]]|date=2009-10-30|access-date=2015-02-04}}</ref> Watt apologized to the Beach Boys, [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] [[Nancy Reagan]] apologized for Watt, and in 1984 the Beach Boys gave an Independence Day concert on the Mall to an audience of 750,000 people.<ref name=Gettysburg/><ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite web |url=http://thebeachboys.com/timeline.aspx |title=Timeline |publisher=The Beach Boys (Capitol Records)|access-date=2010-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327214401/http://thebeachboys.com/timeline.aspx |archive-date=2010-03-27}}
* {{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204112554/http://www.yuddy.com/celebrity/the-beach-boys/bio |archive-date=2008-12-04 |url=http://www.yuddy.com/celebrity/the-beach-boys/bio |title=The Beach Boys Bio |publisher=Yuddy |access-date=2012-04-19 }}
* {{cite news|first=Richard|last=Harrington|title=Back to the Beach Boys: Rock Returns to Mall For the Fourth of July; Beach Boys to Perform On the Mall July 4|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|page=B.1|date=1984-06-06}}</ref>

[[File:Britney Spears Navy.jpg|thumb|upright=1|[[Britney Spears]] performs during the "NFL Kickoff Live from the National Mall Presented by Pepsi Vanilla" concert, September 4, 2003]]
On September 4, 2003, [[Britney Spears]], [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Aretha Franklin]], [[Aerosmith]] and others performed in a nationally televised "NFL Kickoff Live from the National Mall Presented by [[List of Pepsi variations#Sodas|Pepsi Vanilla]]" (see: [[National Football League Kickoff game#Pre-game concerts|Pre-game concerts for National Football League kickoff game]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20030805005482/en/ |title='NFL Kickoff Live from the National Mall' Presented by Pepsi Vanilla Featuring Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Britney Spears and Others Thursday, September 4 |publisher=[[Business Wire]] |date=2003-08-05 |location=New York |access-date=2012-03-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524105541/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20030805005482/en/ |archive-date=2013-05-24 }}</ref> Preceded by a three-day [[National Football League]] "interactive [[Super Bowl]] theme park", the event had primarily commercial purposes, unlike earlier major activities on the Mall. Three weeks later, the [[United States Senate]] overwhelmingly passed legislation that, when enacted into law, limited displays of commercial sponsorship on the Mall.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130054222/http://www.savethemall.org/updates/20030923.html |archive-date=2012-11-30 |url=http://www.savethemall.org/updates/20030923.html |title=Message concerning passage of Senate amendment to HR2691, 108th United States Congress |publisher=National Coalition to Save Our Mall |date=2003-09-24 |access-date=2012-12-29 }}
* {{cite book|chapter-url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-108publ108/pdf/PLAW-108publ108.pdf|title=Public Law 108-108: Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004|date=2003-11-10|chapter=Sec. 145|pages=117 Stat. 1280–117 Stat. 1281|publisher=[[United States Government Printing Office]]|location=Washington, D.C.|access-date=2012-12-29|quote=SEC. 145. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any other Act, hereafter enacted, may be used to permit the use of the National Mall for a special event, unless the permit expressly prohibits the erection, placement, or use of structures and signs bearing commercial advertising. The Secretary may allow for recognition of sponsors of special events: Provided, That the size and form of the recognition shall be consistent with the special nature and sanctity of the Mall and any lettering or design identifying the sponsor shall be no larger than one-third the size of the lettering or design identifying the special event. In approving special events, the Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that public use of, and access to the Mall is not restricted. For purposes of this section, the term ''special event'' shall have the meaning given to it by section 7.96(g)(1)(ii) of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202120049/http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-108publ108/pdf/PLAW-108publ108.pdf|archive-date=2014-02-02|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On July 7, 2007, one leg of Live Earth was held outdoors at the National Museum of the American Indian on the Mall. Former [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Al Gore]] presented, and artists such as [[Garth Brooks]] and [[Trisha Yearwood]] performed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://liveearth.org/en/press/pressrelease/live-earth-special-broadcast-event-washington-dc-announced-al-gore-attend-garth-b |title=Live Earth Special Broadcast Event in Washington, DC Announced -- Al Gore To Attend; Garth Brooks & Trisha Eastwood To Perform |date=2007-07-06 |publisher=[[Live Earth]] |access-date=2009-11-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727041429/http://liveearth.org/en/press/pressrelease/live-earth-special-broadcast-event-washington-dc-announced-al-gore-attend-garth-b |archive-date=2011-07-27 }}</ref>

Occurring once every two to three years on the Mall in the early fall from 2002 to 2009,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solardecathlon.gov/history.cfm |title=Solar Decathlon History |work=[[United States Department of Energy]] Solar Decathlon |publisher=[[National Renewable Energy Laboratory]] |date=2010-10-25 |access-date=2010-12-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704192942/http://www.solardecathlon.gov/history.cfm |archive-date=2010-07-04 }}</ref> the [[Solar Decathlon|U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon]] displayed [[solar energy|solar-powered]] houses that competitive collegiate teams designed, constructed and operated.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810100022/http://www.solardecathlon.gov/about.cfm|archive-date=2010-08-10|url=http://www.solardecathlon.gov/about.cfm|title=About Solar Decathlon|work=[[United States Department of Energy]] Solar Decathlon|publisher=[[National Renewable Energy Laboratory]]|date=2010-05-07|access-date=2013-01-27}}</ref><ref name=decathlon1>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106203027/http://www.solardecathlon.gov/blog/archives/572|archive-date=2011-01-06|url=http://www.solardecathlon.gov/blog/archives/572|title=DOE Announces Dates for U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011|work= Solar Decathlon News Blog|publisher=[[United States Department of Energy]]|date=2010-09-23|access-date=2011-09-12}}</ref> Igniting a controversy, the [[United States Department of Energy|Department of Energy]] (DOE) decided to move the 2011 Decathlon off the Mall, claiming that this would support an effort to protect, improve and restore the park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solardecathlon.gov/blog/archives/629 |title=Message Regarding the Location of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 |work=Solar Decathlon News Blog |publisher=[[United States Department of Energy]] |date=2011-01-11 |access-date=2011-01-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119064742/http://www.solardecathlon.gov/blog/archives/629 |archive-date=2011-01-19 }}</ref> Federal officials stated that heavy equipment that had placed two-story houses on the Mall during earlier Decathlons had cracked walkways and killed grass to a greater extent than had most other Mall events.<ref name=Decathlon1>{{cite web|last=Fears |first=Darryl |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/12/AR2011021203215.html |title=Students' solar-energy showcase is kicked off Mall |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2011-02-12 |access-date=2011-02-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628220924/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/12/AR2011021203215.html |archive-date=2011-06-28 }}</ref>

On February 4, 2011, a ''[[Washington Post]]'' editorial criticized attempts to have President Obama restore the Decathlon to the Mall.<ref>{{cite web|author=Editorial |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/04/AR2011020406593.html |title=Why the Solar Decathlon should forsake the Mall |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2011-02-04 |access-date=2011-02-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112000232/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/04/AR2011020406593.html |archive-date=2012-11-12 }}</ref> Nevertheless, by February 12, 2011, at least thirteen [[Members of the 111th United States Congress|U.S. senators]] had signed a letter asking the DOE to reconsider its decision.<ref name=Decathlon1 /> On February 23, 2011, the DOE and the Department of the Interior announced that the 2011 Solar Decathlon would take place along [[Ohio Drive (Washington, D.C.)|Ohio Drive]] southeast of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in West Potomac Park.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite web|url=http://www.solardecathlon.gov/blog/archives/731 |title=Energy, Interior Departments Announce New Location for Solar Decathlon 2011 |work=Solar Decathlon News Blog |publisher=[[United States Department of Energy]] |date=2011-02-23 |access-date=2011-02-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228053617/http://www.solardecathlon.gov/blog/archives/731 |archive-date=2011-02-28 }}
* {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304202236/http://www.solardecathlon.gov/pdfs/2011_map.pdf |archive-date=2011-03-04 |url=http://www.solardecathlon.gov/pdfs/2011_map.pdf |title=Map: U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011: National Mall West Potomac Park |work=U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon |publisher=[[National Renewable Energy Laboratory]] |date=2011-02-23 |access-date=2013-01-27 }}
* {{cite web|last=Fears |first=Darryl |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/23/AR2011022307849.html |title=Solar Decathlon houses now have a home on the Mall |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2011-02-23 |access-date=2011-02-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629014409/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/23/AR2011022307849.html |archive-date=2011-06-29}}</ref> The event took place in the Park from September 23 through October 2, 2011.<ref name=decathlon1/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Brown |first1=Emma |last2=Eilperin |first2=Juliet |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post_now/post/u-md-watershed-home-wins-solar-decathlon/2011/10/01/gIQAvtZUDL_blog.html |title=U-Md. 'WaterShed' home wins Solar Decathlon |work=PostLocal |publisher=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2011-10-01 |access-date=2011-10-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112142108/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post_now/post/u-md-watershed-home-wins-solar-decathlon/2011/10/01/gIQAvtZUDL_blog.html |archive-date=2012-01-12 }}</ref> The 2013 Decathlon took place in [[Irvine, California]], instead of Washington.<ref>{{cite web|first=Carol|last=Anna|url=https://www.solardecathlon.gov/blog/archives/2026|title=Solar Decathlon Dates Set for October 3–13|work=U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon|publisher=[[United States Department of Energy]]|date=2012-03-14|access-date=2024-01-13|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317051742/https://www.solardecathlon.gov/blog/archives/2026|archive-date=2012-03-17|quote=The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 will take place Oct. 3–13, 2013, at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California.}}</ref>

From 2003 to 2013, the [[National Book Festival]] took place on the Mall each year in late September or early October.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2003/03-133.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113033854/http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2003/03-133.html|archive-date=2014-01-13 |access-date=2014-01-12 |date=2003-03-14 |title=2003 National Book Festival to be Held October 4 on the National Mall |work=News Releases: News from the Library of Congress |publisher=Library of Congress |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113071108/http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/information|archive-date=2014-01-13 |url=https://www.loc.gov/bookfest/information |title=Festival Information |work=2013 Library of Congress National Book Festival |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |access-date=2014-01-12 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the event moved to the [[Walter E. Washington Convention Center]] in 2014 because the NPS became concerned about the damage that pedestrians had inflicted on the Mall's lawn during previous Festivals.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite news|last=Charles |first=Ron |date=2014-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109075524/http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/national-book-festival-to-relocate-from-the-mall-to-the-dc-convention-center/2014/01/08/18327b12-78a2-11e3-8963-b4b654bcc9b2_story.html|archive-date=2014-01-09|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/national-book-festival-to-relocate-from-the-mall-to-the-dc-convention-center/2014/01/08/18327b12-78a2-11e3-8963-b4b654bcc9b2_story.html |title=National Book Festival to relocate from the Mall to the D.C. convention center |department=Style |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=2014-01-12 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029024031/http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/ |archive-date=2014-10-29 |url=https://www.loc.gov/bookfest |title=Library of Congress National Book Festival |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |access-date=2014-11-05 }}</ref>

A four-day exhibition took place each year on the Mall during [[Partnership for Public Service#Public Service Recognition Week|Public Service Recognition Week]] (the first full week of May) until 2010. Government agencies participating in the event sponsored exhibits that displayed the works of public employees and that enabled visitors to learn about government programs and initiatives, discuss employee benefits, and interact with agency representatives.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite web|url=http://opm.gov/psrw/ |title=Public Service Recognition Week |publisher=[[United States Office of Personnel Management]] |access-date=2010-02-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423132302/http://www.opm.gov/psrw/ |archive-date=2010-04-23 }}
* {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331200357/http://publicservicerecognitionweek.org/exhibitors/index.shtml |archive-date=2010-03-31 |title=Public Service Recognition Week |publisher=[[Partnership for Public Service]] |access-date=2012-04-05 |url=http://publicservicerecognitionweek.org/exhibitors/index.shtml }}</ref> However, the [[2011 United States federal budget]] ([[s:Public Law 112-10|Public Law 112-10]]), which was belatedly enacted on April 15, 2011, contained no funding for that year's event, forcing the event's cancellation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harwood|first=Markie|url=http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20110421/PERSONNEL02/104210303|title=Public Service Recognition Week events on National Mall cancelled|work=[[Federal Times]]|publisher=[[Gannett]] Government Media Corporation|date=2011-04-21|access-date=2012-04-05|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122213128/http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20110421/PERSONNEL02/104210303|archive-date=22 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The event did not take place in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419051330/http://publicservicerecognitionweek.org/events/ |archive-date=2012-04-19|url=http://publicservicerecognitionweek.org/events/|title=2012 Events|work=Public Service Recognition Week: May 6–12 |publisher=[[Partnership for Public Service]]|access-date=2012-04-06 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On June 12, 2010, [[Tareq Salahi|Tareq]] and [[Michaele Salahi]], a couple under investigation for allegedly [[Gate-crashing|crashing]] a White House [[state dinner]] for the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister of India]] in November 2009 (see: [[2009 U.S. state dinner security breaches]]), hosted an [[America's Polo Cup]] match between the United States and [[India]] on the Mall, charging $95 per person for admission.<ref name="Washington Post1">{{cite news |last=Tucker|first=Neely|date=2010-06-13|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/12/AR2010061204092.html|title=White House crashers Tareq and Michaele Salahi hold polo event on the Mall|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|page=C.5|access-date=2010-06-15 |archive-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110192611/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/12/AR2010061204092.html|url-status=live|quote=It seemed controversial business as usual for the event's promoters, Tareq and Michaele Salahi. On federally owned turf, beneath a Washington sky, eight months after they crashed the Obamas' first White House state dinner, the embattled Virginia socialites found a way to put on what has become their signature event. .... The event's advertising put admission at $95 per person. .... The America's Polo Cup featured a match between the United States and India Saturday on the Mall, although neither government participated in the event. The event's Web site listed its key sponsor as Kingfisher Beer, whose chief executive said the company was not a sponsor.}}</ref> A spokesman for the [[Embassy of India, Washington, D.C.|Embassy of India]] stated that neither the Embassy nor the [[government of India]] had any association with the event.<ref name="Washington Post1"/> Reports of the event stated that the players who represented India were actually of [[Pakistan]]i origin and were from [[Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.overoll.com/Content/White-House-crashers-Tareq-and-Michaele-Salahi-hold-polo-event-on-the-Mall-/2010/6/13/267201.news|title=White House crashers Tareq and Michaele Salahi hold polo event on the Mall|quote=Polo players representing India, who say they are actually of Pakistani origin and are from Florida, pose for a picture.|work=Fashion|publisher=OverOll.com|date=2010-06-13|access-date=2010-08-30|archive-date=September 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917180411/http://www.overoll.com/Content/White-House-crashers-Tareq-and-Michaele-Salahi-hold-polo-event-on-the-Mall-/2010/6/13/267201.news|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
[[File:Veterans Day concert on the National Mall photo D Ramey Logan.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The Concert for Valor on the National Mall on November 11, 2014, looking west from the U.S. Capitol grounds]]

The inaugural [[USA Science and Engineering Festival|USA Science and Engineering Festival Expo]] took place on the National Mall and surrounding areas on October 23 and 24, 2010. More than 1,500 free interactive exhibits reportedly drew about 500,000 people to the event,<ref>{{cite news|last=Tamura |first=Leslie |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/25/AR2010102502482.html |title=Festival on the Mall challenges young and old to think scientifically |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2010-10-25 |access-date=2010-10-27 |quote=More than 1,500 free, interactive exhibits drew about 500,000 people to downtown Washington this weekend to learn about science, technology, engineering and math.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830110324/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/25/AR2010102502482.html|archive-date=2018-08-30}}</ref> which had over 75 performances.<ref name=expo>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021080637/http://www.usasciencefestival.org/2010festival/expo |archive-date=2010-10-21 |url=http://www.usasciencefestival.org/2010festival/expo? |title=Science & Engineering Festival: Grand Finale Expo- October 23 & 24, 2010, 10am-5:30pm, Washington DC US |access-date=2012-05-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The second Expo took place on April 28–29, 2012, in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430040159/http://www.usasciencefestival.org/|archive-date=2012-04-30 |url=http://www.usasciencefestival.org/ |title=Celebrate Science at the 2nd USA Science and Engineering Festival |work=USA Science & Engineering Festival |access-date=2012-04-06}}
* {{cite web|last=Stein |first=Ben P. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430081631/http://inside-science.blogspot.com/2012/04/usa-science-engineering-festival.html|archive-date=2012-04-30 |url=http://inside-science.blogspot.com/2012/04/usa-science-engineering-festival.html |title=The USA Science & Engineering Festival |work=InsideScience Currents |date=2012-04-27 |access-date=2012-05-26}}</ref>

On [[Veterans Day]], November 11, 2014, [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Eminem]], [[Rihanna]], [[Metallica]], [[Carrie Underwood]], [[Dave Grohl]], the [[Zac Brown Band]] and other pop entertainers performed on the Mall during a free evening [[The Concert for Valor|Concert for Valor]] honoring veterans and their families. Attendance was in the hundreds of thousands, making it one of the biggest events on the Mall for the year.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite news |last=Richards |first=Chris |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150731040923/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/springsteen-eminem-rihanna-and-more-to-perform-at-free-veterans-day-concert-in-dc/2014/10/02/97980e82-4a41-11e4-891d-713f052086a0_story.html |archive-date=2015-07-31 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/springsteen-eminem-rihanna-and-more-to-perform-at-free-veterans-day-concert-in-dc/2014/10/02/97980e82-4a41-11e4-891d-713f052086a0_story.html |title=Springsteen, Eminem, Rihanna and more to perform at free Veterans Day concert in D.C. |date=2014-10-02 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=2016-03-29 }}
* {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512093631/http://connected.giveanhour.org/show/concert-for-valor/wiki|archive-date=2015-05-12|url=http://connected.giveanhour.org/show/concert-for-valor/wiki|title=The Concert for Valor|work=Give an Hour Connected|publisher=Give an Hour|access-date=2014-11-05}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.theconcertforvalor.com/ |title=The Concert for Valor: Saluting American Veterans |publisher=[[Home Box Office]] |access-date=2014-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104025034/http://theconcertforvalor.com/ |archive-date=2014-11-04 }}
* {{cite news |last1=Schwartzman |first1=Paul |last2=Parks |first2=Miles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112073351/http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/road-closures-metro-changes-as-dc-prepares-for-free-concert-for-valor-on-mall/2014/11/11/b6cad9a6-69a4-11e4-9fb4-a622dae742a2_story.html |archive-date=2014-11-12 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/road-closures-metro-changes-as-dc-prepares-for-free-concert-for-valor-on-mall/2014/11/11/b6cad9a6-69a4-11e4-9fb4-a622dae742a2_story.html |title=To honor veterans, Mall is the stage for a flag-waving night of patriotism, music |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2014-11-11 |access-date=2014-11-12 }}
* {{cite news |last=Richards |first=Chris |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121034733/http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/2014/11/11/9ae0136a-69ee-11e4-9fb4-a622dae742a2_story.html |archive-date=2014-11-21 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/2014/11/11/9ae0136a-69ee-11e4-9fb4-a622dae742a2_story.html |title=Concert for Valor review: For the troops on Veterans Day, rough-edged reverence on the Mall |date=2014-11-11 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=2014-11-18 }}
* {{cite news |last1=Plater |first1=Roz |last2=Roussey |first2=Tom |last3=The Associated Press |author3-link=Associated Press |url=http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/11/-concert-for-valor-on-national-mall-draws-800-000-in-tribute-to-u-s-veterans-108935.html |title='Concert for Valor' on National Mall draws hundreds of thousands in tribute to Veterans |date=2014-11-11|newspaper=[[NewsChannel 8 (cable channel)|NewsChannel 8]]|access-date=2010-11-18 |url-status=live|archive-date=November 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113084633/http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/11/-concert-for-valor-on-national-mall-draws-800-000-in-tribute-to-u-s-veterans-108935.html}}</ref>

The annual [[Screen on the Green (Washington, D.C.)|Screen on the Green]] movie festival took place on the Mall on Monday nights during July and August for 17 years until 2015. Free classic movies were projected on large portable screens and typically drew crowds of thousands of people. Organizers cancelled the event in 2016 when the event's sponsors ([[HBO]] and [[Comcast]]) terminated their support, stating that they needed their resources for other projects.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite news|first=Rachel|last=Cooper|title=Screen on the Green 2015 in Washington DC: Free Outdoor Movies at the National Mall|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610215553/http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/Screengreen.htm|archive-date=2015-06-10 |url=http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/Screengreen.htm|publisher=[[About.com]]|year=2015|access-date=2016-03-29}}
* {{cite web|last=Barnes|first=Sophia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511131039/http://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/Screen-on-the-Green-Cancelled--At-Least-for-Now-378806431.html|archive-date=2016-05-11|url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/Screen-on-the-Green-Cancelled--At-Least-for-Now-378806431.html|title=Screen on the Green Is Cancelled &ndash; For Now, Anyway|date=2016-05-10|work=[[WRC-TV|NBC 4 Washington]]|publisher=NBCUniversal Media, LLC|access-date=2016-10-12}}</ref>

During October 2020, artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg installed 267,080 white flags within a {{convert|4|acre|ha|1|abbr=on}} site at the [[D.C. Armory]] Parade Grounds near Washington's [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium]] to temporarily memorialize the lives lost in the United States during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite news|first=Petula|last=Dvorak|date=October 22, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/this-rippling-field-of-flags-in-dc-shows-covid-19s-scale/2020/10/22/915f59aa-147d-11eb-bc10-40b25382f1be_story.html|title=This rippling field of flags in D.C. shows covid-19's scale|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=October 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030131442/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/this-rippling-field-of-flags-in-dc-shows-covid-19s-scale/2020/10/22/915f59aa-147d-11eb-bc10-40b25382f1be_story.html|archive-date=October 30, 2020|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|last=Devadasan|first=K. P.|date=October 29, 2020|url=https://gulfnews.com/photos/news/in-pictures-art-installation-commemorates-american-lives-lost-from-virus-with-planting-of-white-flags-1.1603957027008|title=In Pictures: Art installation commemorates American lives lost from virus with planting of white flags|work=Photos|location=[[Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]]|publisher=[[Gulf News]]|access-date=October 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124032755/https://gulfnews.com/photos/news/in-pictures-art-installation-commemorates-american-lives-lost-from-virus-with-planting-of-white-flags-1.1603957027008|archive-date=January 24, 2021|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|url=https://suzannefirstenberg.com/in-america-covid-19-white-flags-in-dc-suzanne-firstenberg/|title=In America: How could this happen .... : A Public Art Installation Honoring Loved Ones Lost to COVID-19|publisher=suzannefirstenberg.com|access-date=October 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917175516/https://suzannefirstenberg.com/in-america-covid-19-white-flags-in-dc-suzanne-firstenberg/|archive-date=September 17, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> She recreated her memorial on the Washington Monument grounds during September 2021 when covering for three weeks a {{convert|20|acre|ha|1|abbr=on}} area with 700,000 white flags.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite news|first=Natachi|last=Onwuamaegbu|date=July 15, 2021|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/07/15/flag-installation-on-mall-honors-covid-victims/|title=Hundreds of thousands of white flags to be placed on the National Mall to honor lives lost to covid|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=September 23, 2021|archive-date=September 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923061859/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/07/15/flag-installation-on-mall-honors-covid-victims/|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite web|date=September 17, 2021|title=COVID-19 victims remembered on Washington's National Mall with 650,000 white flags|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/covid-19-victims-remembered-washingtons-national-mall-with-650000-white-flags-2021-09-17/|access-date=September 19, 2021|website=Reuters|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920193630/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/covid-19-victims-remembered-washingtons-national-mall-with-650000-white-flags-2021-09-17/|archive-date=September 20, 2021|url-status=live}}
* {{cite news|first=Vanessa G.|last=Sánchez|date=September 29, 2021|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/09/29/covid-flag-memorial-washington/|title=Covid-19 memorial in D.C. gives Americans a place to reconcile their loss|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=October 2, 2021|archive-date=October 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003020038/https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/09/29/covid-flag-memorial-washington/|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite news|first=Suzanne Brennan|last=Firstenberg|date=October 1, 2021|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/10/01/national-mall-covid-flags-explanation|title=Opinion: What the 700,000 flags I put on the National Mall really mean|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=October 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002231755/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/10/01/national-mall-covid-flags-explanation|archive-date=October 2, 2021|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.inamericaflags.org|title=In America: Remember|year=2021|publisher=In America Flags and Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg|quote=This art exhibition blankets the National Mall with over 660,000 white flags, showing the magnitude of our loss as a nation, while honoring each person who has died from COVID-19|access-date=October 2, 2021}}</ref>

From September 29, 2023, until October 1, 2023, the National Mall hosted the third global [[World Culture Festival]], featuring performances from around the world and speeches from global leaders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/09/29/world-culture-festival-dc|title=World Culture Festival Will Go On As Planned|year=2023|publisher=Axios|access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref>

The National Mall is scheduled to host the 2027 [[NFL Draft]].