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Lincoln Memorial: then and now

1917 vs 1980s to 2006 · Washington DC

Lincoln Memorial, 1980s to 2006Lincoln Memorial, 1917
NowThen
Then, 1917The memorial in January 1917, with cranes and scaffolding. It was dedicated five years later.Photo: National Photo Company (Library of Congress) · Public domain · Source · resized
Today, 1980s to 2006The memorial seen across the Reflecting Pool. Carol Highsmith took this photo between 1980 and 2006.Photo: Carol M. Highsmith (Library of Congress) · Public domain · Source · resized

The story

Construction began in 1914 and the memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1922. Henry Bacon designed the building and Daniel Chester French designed the statue, which took about four years to carve from Georgia marble.

The 36 columns stand for the 36 states in the Union when Lincoln died. The names of the 48 states of 1922 are carved above them. Inside are the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln's second inaugural address.

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke from the steps. The spot on the landing was engraved in 2003, forty years later.

Did you know? The seated statue is about 19 feet tall. Standing, Lincoln would be about 28 feet tall.
Historians argue about this. A popular legend says Lincoln's hands spell his initials, A and L, in sign language. The National Park Service denies it, and historians say there is no document showing the sculptor meant it. It could not be proven.

Fact or tall tale?

Sources

More: Look for historic photos at the Library of Congress

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Next: Washington Monument. Written from the cited sources, not yet walked on site unless noted.