Lincoln Memorial, Presidential memorial in West Potomac Park, United States
The Lincoln Memorial is a white marble temple with 36 fluted Doric columns across its facade, above which a continuous frieze of carved wreaths runs below a flat roofline. Inside, a 19-foot seated Lincoln by Daniel Chester French faces east toward the Reflecting Pool, flanked by chambers inscribed with the Gettysburg Address and his second inaugural.
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.
The 36 exterior columns are said to stand for the 36 states of the Union at Lincoln's death in 1865, and their names were carved into the entablature above each column. The 48 states existing when the memorial was finished are inscribed on the attic walls, with later plaques added for Alaska and Hawaii.
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