The great Rotunda of the Capitol Building is directly in the center of the building. The Rotunda is magnificently decorated with eight large paintings, most of which acknowledge the hand of God in the founding of our nation. The canvases were commissioned to impress upon visitors the direct intervention of God from the earliest days of our history. The first canvas portrays the landing of Columbus in the Western World in 1492. Columbus' eyes are cast toward heaven in thanks and praise as others around him kneel in gratitude to God. This painting depicts the gratitude Columbus felt in the fulfillment of what he believed was his God-given calling. This excerpt from Christopher Columbus' personal journal reveals his dedication to God and his willingness to follow God's leading wherever it took him. "It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel His hand upon me) the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me..." Those who commissioned the painting of Columbus' landing knew what we have known all along--that God in His grace and wisdom guided those who first came to these shores. The designers of the Capitol Building acted wisely to ensure that the godly heritage of our nation should be remembered and taught to future generations for all time. If any information is not found to be public domail, please let me know immediately so that I may remove it.  Most of the information has been received by emails and articles from students and friends. from a email original source unknown