Lincoln Memorial

A fitting tribute to commemorate the life of one of the greatest presidents of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, it is one of the most recognizable buildings at the National Mall.

The Lincoln Memorial

With architecture inspired by a classical Greek Doric temple, the Lincoln Memorial shelters the iconic, colossal carved statue of Abraham Lincoln. The statue depicts Abraham Lincoln as a seated figure 19-feet tall atop an 11-foot pedestal. The enormous size of this statue is quite the tribute to this man’s gigantic courage, which was evidenced by the clear stand he took against slavery at a time in our nation’s history when the issue of slavery was highly controversial.

Inscriptions of The Gettysburg Address and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Speech are also both contained in this historic monument. Besides being known for honoring our sixteenth president, the Lincoln Memorial is also distinguished for being the site of many famous speeches, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

The memorial is one of the most-visited of those in Washington DC and it is a very popular location for gatherings for various groups. Its proximity to the Vietnam Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Memorial Reflecting Pool makes it the perfect setting for groups to visit.

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Useful Memorial Links:

Lincoln Memorial – NPS

Interesting Facts

  • The memorial’s architecture, designed by Henry Bacon, was influenced heavily by Greek architecture, but if John Russell Pope had had his way, the designs would have been based on either a Mayan temple, a Mesopotamian ziggurat, or an Egyptian pyramid.
  • Abraham Lincoln had a patent for a device he invented to free steamboats if they ran aground. Lincoln is to this day the only president who’s had a patent.
  • Lincoln was in favor of women’s suffrage several years before the beginning of the Women’s Suffrage Movement.
  • Abraham Lincoln had no middle name. He hated to be called Abe and preferred to be referred to by his last name.

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