Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is a national monument in Washington, D.C., in the United States. It was built to honor Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States. Lincoln led the country during the American Civil War, which was fought from 1861 to 1865. The memorial stands at the western end of the National Mall, a long open park area used for monuments and public gatherings. It faces the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument.

Plans for the Lincoln Memorial began many years after Lincoln’s death in 1865. Congress approved the idea in 1910. Construction started in 1914 and was completed in 1922. The building was designed by architect Henry Bacon. Its style was inspired by ancient Greek temples. The structure has tall columns made of marble. There are thirty-six columns, representing the number of states in the United States at the time of Lincoln’s death.

Inside the memorial is a large seated statue of Abraham Lincoln. The statue was created by sculptor Daniel Chester French. Lincoln is shown sitting in a chair, facing east toward the National Mall. The statue is made of white marble and is very tall. His facial expression appears calm and serious. His hands rest on the arms of the chair. One hand is clenched, and the other is open. These details were chosen by the artist to show strength and thoughtfulness.

The interior walls of the Lincoln Memorial include carved texts. On the south wall is Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. This speech was given in 1863 during the Civil War. On the north wall is Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, delivered in 1865. An inaugural address is a speech given when a president begins a term in office. These words are carved into stone so visitors can read them. Murals above the texts were painted by Jules Guerin.

The Lincoln Memorial has also been the site of many important public events. In 1939, singer Marian Anderson performed on the steps of the memorial after she was denied permission to sing at another location. In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech there during the March on Washington. These events made the memorial a place associated with major moments in United States history.

Today, the Lincoln Memorial is managed by the National Park Service. Millions of visitors come each year. The monument is open to the public at all times. It is especially notable at night, when lights illuminate the building and statue. The Lincoln Memorial remains one of the most recognized landmarks in the United States.