Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, National memorial in West Potomac Park, United States.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is a national monument at the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, Washington, D.C., featuring a 30-foot granite statue. The figure emerges from two large stone blocks and stands before a curved wall inscribed with quotations.
The monument opened to the public in 2011 and became the first on the National Mall dedicated to an African American. It commemorates the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s and the leadership of a man known for peaceful protest.
The memorial honors a Baptist minister and activist whose words appear carved into the stone walls surrounding the plaza. Visitors pause to read passages about justice and hope that many Americans learn in school and recognize from history lessons.
The site sits on the western shore of the Tidal Basin and can be reached on foot from several other memorials nearby. National Park Service rangers are often present to answer questions about the grounds and what they represent.
The address on Independence Avenue bears the number 1964, the year a major civil rights law was passed. Chinese sculptor Lei Yixin created the central figure from more than 150 blocks of granite shipped from China.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Location: District of Columbia
Inception: 2011
Creator: Lei Yixin
Operator: National Park Service
Website: http://nps.gov/mlkm
GPS coordinates: 38.88611,-77.04417
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:00
Washington DC, the capital of the United States, houses the three branches of federal government and the nation's most significant political institutions. The White House serves as the presidential residence, while the Capitol building hosts Congress and the Supreme Court represents the judicial branch. The National Mall extends 2 miles (3 kilometers) and connects historic monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Washington Monument, which commemorate the nation's founders. The city holds an exceptional concentration of museums, many belonging to the Smithsonian Institution and offering free admission. The National Air and Space Museum displays the history of aviation and space exploration, while the National Gallery of Art presents an extensive collection of European and American art. The Library of Congress preserves over 170 million items and ranks as the largest library in the world. Memorials such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial honor significant events and figures in American history. Historic districts like Georgetown and Embassy Row, along with green spaces such as the Tidal Basin and Theodore Roosevelt Island Park, complement the capital's cultural and natural offerings.
Washington D.C is more than just the White House and the presidency of the United States. The city contains a collection of iconic monuments, national museums, and government buildings that represent American history and culture. Here, we suggest stepping off the beaten path and discovering the city from another perspective, away from the noise of American politics.
Lincoln Memorial
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Vietnam Veterans Memorial
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Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
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Korean War Veterans Memorial
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Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
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Tidal Basin
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World War II Memorial
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Vietnam Women's Memorial
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Constitution Gardens
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John Paul Jones Memorial
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Statues of the Liberators
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General José Gervasio Artigas
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United States Public Health Service Building
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Kutz Memorial Bridge
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The Wall
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Japanese Lantern
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Japanese Pagoda
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Vietnam Veterans Memorial Information Kiosk
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East and West Potomac Parks Historic District
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Korean War Veterans Memorial Information Kiosk
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World War II Memorial Information
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Organization of American States Administration Building
731 mReviews
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