The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, for his leadership during the Civil War. This neoclassical monument is on the western end of the National Mall, overlooking the Reflecting Pool, lining up with the Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol.
Let’s learn 7 Fun Facts about the Lincoln Memorial before your visit to Washington D.C.
The Lincoln Memorial is a tribute to Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States. The memorial commemorates Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War and his efforts to preserve the Union.
lincoln memorial, washington dc
The Lincoln Memorial Commission was formed to ensure the project reflected President Lincoln’s legacy. Architect Henry Bacon designed the structure, though World War I caused delays that slowed completion to 1922.
The memorial’s dedication ceremony was held on May 30, 1922, and attended by Lincoln’s surviving son, Robert Todd Lincoln.
Dr. Robert Russa Moton, a prominent African American leader, was invited to speak but was barred from sitting with his peers.
Visitors can read two of Lincoln’s most famous speeches inside the memorial, as both the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural Address are inscribed on the north and south walls.
Henry Bacon modeled the Lincoln Memorial after the Parthenon in Athens, Greece to convey the timelessness of democracy. It is one of the most recognizable American monuments.
Close up shot of the Lincoln Memorial building.
Close up shot of the Parthenon.
The Lincoln Memorial full size.
The Parthenon full size.
In the top two photos we can see a similarity between the buildings details in the engraving style and columns.
In the two bottom photos we see the buildings in full size showcasing their overall similar architecture.
The Lincoln Memorial stands at the western end of the National Mall, overlooking the Reflecting Pool. The Reflecting Pool holds 6.75 million gallons of water and links the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument.
The Jefferson Memorial is a short 25-minute walk along the Potomac River.
An aerial view of Washington, D.C., focusing on the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, with the Reflecting Pool in between.
People ice skating and playing on the Reflecting Pool in 1955. Although this was a common activity back then, it is prohibited today due to safety reasons.
On August 28, 1963, Atlanta native Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington in the fight for racial justice in the American Civil Rights Movement.
Listen to Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech in this video
The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most visited tourist sites in Washington, D.C., drawing over seven million people annually. It appears on the five-dollar bill and the penny.
The memorial is open 24 hours a day, welcoming visitors from around the world.
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