Lincoln Memorial, Presidential memorial in West Potomac Park, United States
The Lincoln Memorial consists of a colossal marble statue of the president enthroned within a chamber lined with Doric columns reminiscent of Greek temple architecture. The chamber surrounds the figure with two flanking inscriptions of his best-known speeches, carved into polished marble and flooded by natural light.
Construction began in 1914 and ended with the dedication ceremony on May 30, 1922, attended by President Warren G. Harding. Architect Henry Bacon designed the structure as a tribute to Greek classicism, while sculptor Daniel Chester French shaped the central figure.
The memorial serves as a gathering place for demonstrations and commemorative events emphasizing civil rights and democratic values. Visitors come here to honor past speeches or participate in political rallies that often take place on the steps.
The building remains accessible around the clock, with National Park Service rangers present during daytime and late evening hours to answer questions. Access to the chamber involves wide steps, though ramps are available for visitors with limited mobility.
A total of 36 Doric columns surround the main chamber, representing the number of states in the Union at the time of Lincoln's death in 1865. Inscriptions above each column name these states in the order they joined the Union.
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