Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Civil rights memorial in West Potomac Park, Washington DC, US
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is a stone sculpture in West Potomac Park showing the leader emerging from a granite block. The figure stands on Independence Avenue between two other major memorials and is surrounded by a long granite wall with carved words.
The memorial was authorized in 1996 and construction started over a decade later. It opened in 2011, becoming a significant addition to the national monuments in the capital.
The inscribed words from speeches invite visitors to think about justice and equality as they walk through the space. People often pause to read the messages and connect them to their own experiences.
The memorial is free and open around the clock in a park that is easy to explore on foot. A visit works well at any time, though early morning or evening hours tend to be less crowded.
The memorial's address was deliberately chosen to reference a pivotal year in civil rights law. This numerical connection adds another layer of meaning for those who notice the detail.
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