It’s the most familiar of all the presidential memorials on and around the National Mall. It’s imprinted on our money, and its walls are inscribed with some of the most challenging and unifying words in our history. The Lincoln Memorial inspires millions of visitors every year with its majestic design and its beautiful tribute to a beloved President.
Having led the nation through a troubling Civil War, Abraham Lincoln delivered one of his most famous speeches, The Gettysburg Address. It’s just one of Lincoln’s speeches inscribed here; the other is his Second Inaugural Address. As if the memorial carries with it the gift of great speeches, it has been the setting for several mass marches and gatherings in US history. Perhaps the most familiar of these led to the famous words by Martin Luther King, Jr., remembered simply, “I have a dream.” These words and a small tribute to King are inscribed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where the great speaker stood when he delivered them. One day, a larger memorial will be built in tribute to the civil rights activist and located not far away.
Lincoln’s nineteen-foot, seated pose in his memorial is one of profound reflection. It represents the philosophic Age of Reason, or Enlightenment. Similarly, the neoclassic design of the structure, which many DC buildings adopt, comes from the respect given during the Age of Reason to Greek philosophers. Its temple-like form is complemented by the reverential hush visitors usually observe there.
The Lincoln Memorial is a must for Washington DC group travel and educational tours. Groups find the magnificent structure breathtaking by day and when illuminated at night. It’s familiar on sight, and in the hands of a knowledgeable guide, this attraction too becomes an unforgettable Washington DC experience.