The Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial's greatest feature is the man himself. Sitting on his mighty marble chair, he casts his steely gaze over official Washington, the ever-present moral center and the conscience of the electorate. Sculptor Daniel Chester French's statue of Lincoln quietly emits the values and ideals of an entire nation.

The image of Martin Luther King Jr. a century later on the monument steps is still vivid in our country's consciousness, the two forever linked in the struggle for civil rights and freedom. An inscription commemorating King's 'I Have a Dream' speech was inaugurated in August 2003, on the 40th anniversary of the event. The script is oriented eastward so that you face the same direction King did when he stood on that spot.

Construction on the memorial began in 1911, and it wasn't completed until 1922 when President Warren G. Harding attended the dedication. Composed of marble and stone from Colorado, Massachusetts, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama and the District of Columbia, the site strives to represent the whole country. In fact, the 36 exterior columns symbolize the 36 states at the time of Lincoln's assassination. Also listed at the memorial are the states of the Union when the dedication took place: 48. Hawaii and Alaska, who were granted admission after completion, were given plaques on the front steps. In essence, the emphasis on the growth of the Union is as much a tribute to Lincoln's perseverance and love of his country as the statue within.