Lincoln Home National Historic Site (IL) Named Among Nation’s Most Patriotic Landmarks.

• Survey of 3,021 Americans asking which landmark makes them most proud to be American.
• Other Illinois landmarks included were: Pullman Historic Park + Cahokia Mounds.
• Infographic included.

Memorial Day means more than the unofficial start of summer. For many, it’s a day carved out for something quieter: remembrance. It’s a time to think about sacrifice, service, and the places that have come to hold those memories. These aren’t always grand or flashy. Sometimes it’s a battlefield marked by silence, a statue that once promised hope, or a building where freedom first took shape.

To find out which landmarks stir the deepest sense of patriotism, Mixbook polled 3,021 Americans across all 50 states were asked a simple question:

Which U.S. landmark makes you feel most proud to be American?

The answers weren’t just about history – they were about identity, resilience, and belonging. The top 5 were as follows:

#1. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island – New York, NY
In first place, this towering green icon in New York Harbor has long been more than a monument. For generations of immigrants, it was their first glimpse of America – and their first hope. Just beside it, Ellis Island holds names, dreams, and stories etched into the DNA of the country. Together, they symbolize a nation built by those who dared to believe in something better.

#2. Pearl Harbor National Memorial – Oʻahu, Hawaii
Even before you see the white memorial above the USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor hits you with a kind of quiet gravity. The harbor still holds the echoes of December 7th, 1941—a day that changed everything. For many, especially those from Hawaii, this isn’t just a historical site. It’s sacred space, a place where bravery and loss meet beneath Pacific skies.

#3. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace – Hodgenville, Kentucky
In a small patch of rural Kentucky sits the beginning of something enormous. The marble shrine housing a simple log cabin speaks volumes about Abraham Lincoln’s origins. For locals, it’s a humbling reminder that leadership, grit, and moral clarity often come from the unlikeliest places.

#4. Arlington National Cemetery – Arlington, Virginia
Few places in America hush a crowd quite like Arlington. The endless rows of white headstones stretch across green hills, each one a chapter in the nation’s story. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with its silent, precise guard, offers a moment of reverence that words can’t quite touch. For many, it’s where the weight of service becomes real.

#5. Independence Hall – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
Inside this unassuming brick building, bold ideas sparked a nation. Independence Hall isn’t just where America was born – it’s where democracy took shape. For Philadelphians, it’s no museum piece. It hums with meaning, a reminder that freedom comes from dialogue, argument, and shared conviction.

3 Illinois landmarks were named among the most patriotic in the nation:

#11. Lincoln Home National Historic Site – Springfield
Located in Springfield, Illinois, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the residence of President Abraham Lincoln. This home is where he lived with his family before becoming president. The site holds significance for Illinois residents as a symbol of leadership, humility, and public service. It is frequently visited for educational purposes and national remembrance.

#88. Pullman National Historical Park – Chicago
The Pullman National Historical Park, situated in Chicago, highlights industrial innovation and labor history. It was one of the first planned industrial communities in the United States. Illinoisans often associate the site with the Pullman Strike and the early labor rights movement. It represents the challenges and achievements of American workers.

#109. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Collinsville
Cahokia Mounds is a pre-Columbian archaeological site located near Collinsville, Illinois. It features a complex of earthen mounds built by the Mississippian culture. Residents of Illinois recognize it as an important historical and cultural landmark. The site underscores that advanced civilizations existed in North America long before European settlement.

Infographic showing American landmarks that inspire the most patriotism

“These landmarks hold more than history – they carry a sense of shared experience,” says a Mixbook company spokesperson. “They connect people across generations, backgrounds, and regions. Especially on Memorial Day, they remind us that no matter where we come from, there are places that bring us together.”