Final answer:
Mount Rushmore, located in South Dakota, showcases the faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt and has become a symbol of presidential legacy in the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
The state that has Mount Rushmore, which features the faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt, is South Dakota. This national monument was carved into the granite of Mount Rushmore between 1927 and 1941, at an altitude of 7,000 feet above sea level, becoming an enduring image of American presidential greatness. Despite its initial proposition to honor regional heroes such as General Custer, Buffalo Bill, and the explorers Lewis and Clark, sculptor Gutzon Borglum argued for a monument that would reflect a more national significance, influencing the decision to depict four esteemed American presidents who are considered symbolic of the nation's ideals and heritage.
Mount Rushmore has been a backdrop for presidential speeches, seeking to align current presidents with the legacy of these historical figures. The monument emphasizes the role of presidents as focal points in the American political system, often contrasting past presidential 'gods' with the perceived shortcomings of their successors.