Bethesda, Maryland

Bethesda is an urbanized, but unincorporated, area in Montgomery County, Maryland, near Washington, D.C.. It takes its name from a church located there, the Bethesda Presbyterian Church (built 1820), which in turn was named from a passage in the New Testament.

Landmarks

Important institutions located in Bethesda include the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division. Bethesda is also home to the National Naval Medical Center, commonly referred to as Bethesda Naval Hospital, where many famous Americans such as Joseph McCarthy passed away and the infamous John F. Kennedy autopsy was performed. Adjoining the hospital to the east is the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS).

Related Topics:
National Institutes of Health - National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency - Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division - National Naval Medical Center - Joseph McCarthy - John F. Kennedy

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The headquarters of defense conglomerate Lockheed Martin Corporation and hotel and resort chain Marriott International are located in Bethesda. Software company Bethesda Softworks was previously located in Bethesda, but recently moved to Rockville, Maryland. Bethesda is renowned for its extensive collection of restaurants—180 were listed at the end of 2004—offering cuisine ranging from Afgan to Vietnamese. Bethesda is also home to two vibrant farmers markets, the Montgomery Farm Woman's Cooperative Market and the Bethesda Farmer's Market, as well as numerous cinemas and art galleries.

Related Topics:
Lockheed Martin Corporation - Marriott International - Bethesda Softworks - Rockville, Maryland - 2004 - Farmers market

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Bethesda is also the fictional hometown of Carmen, Bee, Lena and Tibby in Ann Brashares' novel and trilogy, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, which was also made into a 2005 movie, although there are still disputes over the accuracy of the portrayal of Bethesda in the film.

Related Topics:
Ann Brashares - 2005 - Movie

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Also located in downtown Bethesda is one of just 12 Madonna of the Trail monuments, erected by the National Old Trails Association working in concert with the Daughters of the American Revolution. Judge Harry S. Truman, later 33rd President of the United States, presided over the dedication of the Bethesda monument, on April 19, 1929. Eleven others were erected as well, and they stretch from Upland, California to Bethesda, the easternmost of these monuments, which commemorate the spirit of pioneer women during the westward expansion of the U.S.A.

Related Topics:
Madonna of the Trail - Daughters of the American Revolution - Harry S. Truman - Upland, California

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