Originally called the Pacific Circle construction on DuPont Circle began in 1871. In 1882 a memorial statue of Civil War rear admiral, Samuel Francis du Pont, was authorized by Congress for his services during the war. The state was completed in 1884. In 1920 the DuPont family moved the statue and commissioned a white marble fountain in its place. The park within DuPont Circle is a popular meeting place for citizens who would like to play chess on one of the permanent stone chessboards. Many political rallies have been known to take place in DuPont Circle including many in support of gay rights and protesting the war against Iraq.