Lincoln Memorial

West Potomac Park c1912 prior to construction of the Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial Under Construction 1916

Lincoln Memorial Dedication with President Harding crop

Lincoln Memorial Friezes crop

Lincoln Memorial, "I Have a Dream" 50th anniversary

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial is an iconic American monument dedicated to the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Located in Washington, D.C., it stands at the western end of the National Mall, offering a unifying symbol of Lincoln's legacy as the Great Emancipator and the preserver of the nation during the American Civil War.

Design and Construction

The memorial's design was the work of architect Henry Bacon, who modeled the structure after the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, to symbolize the democratic ideals that Lincoln stood for. The construction began in 1914 and was completed in 1922. The exterior features 36 Doric columns, each representing a state in the Union at the time of Lincoln's death in 1865.

At the center of the memorial is a large seated sculpture of Abraham Lincoln, created by sculptor Daniel Chester French. The statue is surrounded by inscriptions of two well-known speeches by Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address, emphasizing his commitment to freedom, equality, and national unity.

Significance and Legacy

The Lincoln Memorial has become a symbol of American values and has played a significant role in the country's civil rights movement. It was the site of the famous March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech, further cementing the memorial's status as a space for reflection on American ideals of freedom and justice.

Visitation and Cultural Impact

As a major tourist attraction, the Lincoln Memorial draws millions of visitors each year, who come to pay homage to Lincoln and reflect on the history of the United States. Its image has been featured on currency and in various forms of popular culture, underscoring its importance in the American consciousness.

Preservation

The National Park Service manages the Lincoln Memorial as part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. Ongoing efforts ensure the preservation of this historic monument for future generations, maintaining its structural integrity and the significance of its symbolic elements.

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