The sculpture was dedicated in 1910, the third of four statues in Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C., to honor foreign-born heroes of the American Revolutionary War.

He later traveled to France where he studied in military academy libraries and adopted views of human liberty during the Age of Enlightenment.

Kościuszko served as an engineer in the Continental Army, earning the praise of his superiors, including General George Washington.

In the early 1900s, the Polish National Alliance asked the U.S. Congress if a memorial to Casimir Pulaski could be erected in Lafayette Square.

He was sent to receive education at a Piarist school and later attended the Corps of Cadets in Warsaw, where Kościuszko was promoted to captain.

[4] While in Paris, Kościuszko also studied in military academy libraries, and became a strong believer in human liberty during the Age of Enlightenment.

Recalling his time while in France and other countries, Kościuszko stated: "During the five years of my life spent in foreign countries, I have endeavored to master those arts which pertain to solid government, aiming at the happiness of all, also economics and military art; I earnestly tried to learn this, inasmuch I had a natural passion for these things.

"[4] After briefly returning to his homeland, Kościuszko came back to France before moving to the Thirteen Colonies in 1776, a few months before the Declaration of Independence was signed.

[4] In the 1890s, plans were made to erect statues in Lafayette Square honoring foreign heroes of the American Revolutionary War.

President Theodore Roosevelt responded "that the very patriotic offer of the Polish organizations be accepted," but that the statue to be installed in Lafayette Square be one of Kościuszko.

Roosevelt took great interest in the competition and his opinion that Polish sculptor Antoni Popiel should win played a large role in his selection.

[8] M. J. Falvey & Kyle Granite Company served as contractors for the statue while Jules Berchem & American Art Foundry were the founders.

The invocation was given by Bishop Paul Peter Rhode followed by speeches from President William Howard Taft, who gave the keynote address, and Polish-American politician John F. Smulski.

[11] The Kościuszko statue is one of 14 American Revolution Statuary that were collectively listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on July 14, 1978.

The Polish ambassador, Piotr Wilczek, reacted with anger: "I am disgusted and appalled by the acts of vandalism committed against the statue of Thaddeus Kościuszko in DC, a hero who fought for the independence of both the US and Poland.

[17] The Kościuszko statue is located on the northeast corner of Lafayette Square, near the intersection of H Street and Madison Place NW in Washington, D.C.

He is wearing a Continental Army officer uniform, which includes a hat, a long coat adorned with epaulets, a sash, and boots.

The front of the base depicts an American eagle resting on the globe, holding a sword, a shield, and the U.S. flag.