Why are the Brits installing a statue of George Washington?

A founding father in the land he fought to break from

That's George Washington, cast in bronze, and standing tall in the middle of London

right next to British royalty. Believe it or not, Virginia sent that statue to London back in 1914

It was a gift to mark 100 years since the end of the War of 1812

that cemented America's independence from the United Kingdom. The statue wouldn't be unveiled until 1921 after the U.S. and U.K. had stood together on the battlefields of World War I

Many say that's when the special relationship really took root. And at that ceremony, Britain's foreign secretary didn't hold back

He called Washington one of the greatest Englishmen who ever lived. And decades later, his likeness represents peace between the two nations

A statue which will erase his life, his leadership, that is achievement for becoming the first president of the United States

On Wednesday, a ceremony at the National Gallery in central London unveiled the restored statue

After years out in the elements at Trafalgar Square, Washington is back, cleaned up, and reintroduced to the public

A Virginia group in collaboration with Britain, comprised of architects and developers, wanted the statue to shine as it once did before

In May of this year, they took Washington back home after raising the funds

buffing, glossing, and repairing years of wear and tear. Now Washington is back on his pedestal, standing tall among Britain's own legends

For Straight Hour News, I'm Kaylee Carey. For more on this story and other fact-driven content

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