Red Square

I am a very big, wide-open space. My floor is made of special stones, all laid out in neat patterns. On one side of me, a tall, strong wall stands like a guard, and it is painted a bright, happy red. On another side, there is a building with colorful, swirly domes that look like a giant birthday cake with yummy frosting. I love when the sun shines on my stones and makes everything warm. I am a very special place. My name is Red Square. A long time ago, my name didn't mean the color red. It meant 'Beautiful Square,' and I think I am very beautiful.

A long, long time ago, around the year 1493, I was a busy, busy market. People would come to buy yummy vegetables and shiny toys. The big red wall you see belongs to a castle called the Kremlin, where important people lived. Then, a ruler named Ivan wanted to build something wonderful to celebrate a happy day. So, around the year 1555, he built the beautiful building that looks like a birthday cake. That is Saint Basil’s Cathedral. He wanted it to make everyone smile when they saw it. I was so happy to have such a colorful friend next to me. That is why my name, Red Square, means Beautiful Square, a place for happy things.

Today, I am still a place for smiles and songs. Sometimes, big parades march across my stones with happy music and dancing. In the winter, I get a giant, twinkling holiday tree, and a slippery, shiny floor is put down so everyone can go ice-skating. Swish, swoosh, glide. Children laugh and spin around. People come from all over the world to see me. They take pictures and make happy memories with their friends and families. I love being a place where everyone can come together to feel joyful and celebrate.