Lincoln Memorial Facts

Abraham Lincoln is popularly recognized as one of the few presidents who challenged and found remedies to some of the greatest internal conflicts, faced by any country. His pro-Union policy amidst the American Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 and support for the Homestead Act are just a few indications of the convictions and belief Abraham Lincoln personified. And, the Lincoln Memorial is a humble salute to the power of intent he symbolized in American History. Lincoln Memorial is located at National Mall, Washington, D.C. The structure was dedicated to the memory of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, on 30 May, 1922. The architecture replicates a Doric temple. It flaunts a seated sculpture of the President. Two of Lincoln's best known speeches are inscribed within. Lincoln Memorial has been immortalized by great men and speeches, made at the site. These include '"I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr., in 1963.

Lincoln Monument Association chose the site, which was then swampland, in 1902. On 12 February, 1911, the first stone was put into place to commemorate Lincoln's birthday. The dedication ceremony was headed by former President and Chief Justice William Howard Taft and Robert Todd Lincoln, Lincoln's only surviving child, on May 30, 1922. The combination of Indiana limestone and Yule and Georgian marble make the memorial truly unique. Henry Bacon was awarded a Gold Medal by the American Institute of Architects, for the design, in 1923. The memorial stands tall with 36 enormous columns. Each of these measure 37 feet in height. The columns represent the 25 U.S. states and the 11 seceded States, after the death of Abraham Lincoln. The names of all the states of the US are inscribed in entablatures, above each column.

Lincoln's expression is depicted as pensive. The sculpture gazes eastwards, towards the Reflecting Pool. He holds the Roman fasces, symbolizing the power of the Republic. The statue of the President stands nearly 20 feet tall! It was carved by the Piccirilli Brothers, from white Georgia marble. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Second inaugural address are enshrined in south and north walls. There is an angel inscribed into the north wall, to represent truth and on the south wall, the inscription is that of a slave being freed. The Lincoln Memorial has been the site for the following events:

• Performance by African-American contralto Marian Anderson on the behest of Eleanor Roosevelt, to a live and radio audience, in 1939.
• March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom rally, headed by Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1963.
• Impromptu meeting with protesters against the Vietnam War headed by President Richard Nixon, in 1970.
• 20th Anniversary Mobilization for Jobs, Peace and Freedom, for African American civil rights, in 1983.
• Inauguration celebration to honor President George Bush, in 2001.

The Lincoln Memorial stands amidst the National World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Korean War Veterans Memorial, and is taken care of by the National Park Service.It is accessible to the public 24x7. Since 1959, Lincoln Memorial features on the flip side of the one cent coin, with his portrait on the front. The monument is also flaunted on the back of the five dollar bill.