The Lincoln Memorial

Of all the memorials in Washington D.C., the Lincoln Memorial, located at the west end of the National Mall, near the reflecting pool, is one of the most visited. People come from all over the world to honor Abe Lincoln and to have their picture taken on the steps of the memorial or standing next to the statue of Lincoln.

Construction on this memorial (it cost three million dollars to build) was started in 1914 and wasn't completed until 1922. The opening of the Lincoln Memorial on May 30, 1922 was attended by Lincoln's only surviving son, Robert Todd Lincoln.

It was built from stone from four different states, Colorado Yule marble, limestone from Indiana, marble from Alabama for the ceiling, and pink marble from Tennessee for the floor. Because of its great weight, thick concrete posts had to be sunk into the ground to support the memorial.

Marble steps lead up to the center room where a huge statue of Lincoln sitting in a chair is located. Carved from twenty-eight blocks of marble, the statue is nineteen feet tall.

There are two other rooms which have a copy of Lincoln's most famous speeches carved in stone. (One speech per room.) One speech is of course the Gettysburg Address, the other Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address. Above the speeches are murals depicting Abe Lincoln in different phases of his life.

Thirty-six columns surround the Lincoln Memorial. The columns represent the thirty-six states that were in existence when Lincoln died. The names of forty-eight states are carved above the columns. Then Alaska and Hawaii entered the Union a plaque was added to honor these two states.

In 1939 the famous African opera singer, Marian Andersen, stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and sang to an audience of about 75,000 people.

In the sixties many civil rights demonstrations were held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. In 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of this memorial.

Constant exposure to the elements damaged the memorial so in 1993 extensive renovations were preformed. Repairs were made to the murals above Lincoln's speeches, as well as the walkway and roof.

If you ever get to Washington D.C. be sure to visit the Lincoln Memorial, it is an impressive sight. If possible visit it at night. It is even more spectacular when all the lights are shining on it.