Patricia Gill, age 12, of Salt Lake City# Utah, for her question:

Where are the Halls of Montezuma?

The borders of our southwestern states were settled by the Mexican War, Before this conflict ended, General Winfield Scott had led an expedition to the very gates of Mexico City. The last battle was fought at Grasshopper Hill, a fortress called Chapultepec, three miles from Mexico City. Victory was made possible by the heroic action of the United States Marines. This event rates as one of the highlights of their glorious history.

Next day, September 14, 1847, the Americans entered Mexico City which was formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec ruler Montezuma. In its day, the old Indian capital was a grand city of white palaces, pyramids topped with lavish temples and wide causeways.

These are the Halls of Montezuma mentioned in the stirring Marine Anthem. The expression is a poetic reference to that heroic battle at Grasshopper Hill which ended the war in victory for the United States.