History

The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1922, almost 60 years after Lincoln’s assassination. The idea of building a memorial for Lincoln had been proposed since his death, but it took many years of debate, planning, and fundraising to make it a reality.

The memorial was designed by architect Henry Bacon, who chose a classical Greek temple style to symbolize democracy and unity. The memorial’s exterior has 36 columns, representing the 36 states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death. The interior features a 19-foot tall statue of Lincoln sitting on a chair, sculpted by Daniel Chester French. The statue is surrounded by two murals painted by Jules Guerin, depicting essential scenes from Lincoln’s life.

The memorial walls also inscribe two of Lincoln’s most famous speeches: the Gettysburg and his second inaugural address. These speeches express Lincoln’s vision of a nation dedicated to freedom, equality, and justice.

Millions of people have visited the memorial over the years and have witnessed many historic moments. Some of the most notable ones include:

• In 1939, African-American singer Marian Anderson performed at the memorial after being denied access to a concert hall because of her race.
• In 1947, President Harry Truman spoke at the memorial to mark the end of World War II and call for world peace.
• In 1963, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech at the memorial during the March on Washington D.C. for Jobs and Freedom.
• In 1972, anti-war protesters gathered at the memorial to oppose the Vietnam War.
• In 2009, President Barack Obama held a concert at the memorial to celebrate his inauguration.

Who was Abraham Lincoln?

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Kentucky. He grew up in poverty and had little formal education. He taught himself how to read and write and developed a passion for learning and reading books.

He worked as a farmer, a storekeeper, a postmaster, a surveyor, and a lawyer before entering politics. He served as a state legislator in Illinois and as a member of Congress. He became famous for his debates with Stephen Douglas over slavery and territorial expansion.

In 1860, he was elected president of the United States, leading the country through one of its most difficult periods: the Civil War. He faced many challenges and hardships during his presidency, such as managing the war effort, dealing with political opponents, coping with personal tragedies (such as the death of his son Willie), and enduring threats to his life.

He is regarded as one of the greatest presidents in American history because of his achievements and contributions. Some of them include:

• He preserved the Union by defeating the Confederate states that seceded from it.
• He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared that all enslaved people in the rebel states were free.
• He supported the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865, which abolished slavery in the entire country.
• He promoted democracy and human rights both at home and abroad.
• He delivered eloquent and inspiring speeches that expressed his ideals and values.

He was assassinated on April 14, 1865, by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C., just days after the end of the Civil War. He died on April 15 at Petersen House across from the theatre. His death shocked and saddened the nation and the world.

 

The Curious Habits of Lincoln

Lincoln was not only a great leader but also a fascinating and complex person. He had many habits and quirks that revealed his personality and character. Some of them are:

• He loved animals and had many pets, such as dogs, cats, horses, goats, and even a turkey.
• He was an avid reader and writer and often carried books and papers wherever he went. He read various topics, such as history, law, poetry, religion, and science. He also wrote many letters, poems, and jokes.
• He had a good sense of humor and loved to tell stories and jokes. He used humor to cope with stress, to connect with people, and to make his points. He also enjoyed going to the theatre and watching comedy shows.
• He was a spiritual person and believed in God, but he did not belong to any specific church or denomination. He often prayed and read the Bible and sought divine guidance in his decisions.
• He was humble and compassionate and treated everyone respectfully and kindly. He often visited the soldiers and the wounded in the hospitals and listened to their stories and grievances. He also pardoned many people who were sentenced to death or imprisonment.
• He was curious and adventurous and liked to explore new places and learn new things. He traveled extensively throughout his life, visiting different states and countries. He also enjoyed riding horses, hiking, and boating.

Tips for Visitors

If you are planning to visit the Lincoln Memorial, here are some tips to help you have a pleasant and memorable experience:

Are there any rules?

The Lincoln Memorial is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. However, there are some rules that you need to follow to respect the site and the people who visit it. Some of them are:

• Do not climb on the statue or the columns.
• Do not touch or deface the walls or the inscriptions.
• Do not litter or leave any trash behind.
• Do not make loud noises or play music.
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol.

When is the best time to visit?

The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most popular attractions in Washington D.C. so it can get very crowded during peak hours and seasons. If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful and serene atmosphere, you should visit during off-peak hours or seasons. Some of them are:

• Early morning or late evening, when the sun rises or sets over the memorial.
• Winter or fall, when the weather is cooler, and there are fewer tourists.
• Weekdays or holidays, when there are fewer school groups or events.

Is it family-friendly?

The Lincoln Memorial is a great place to visit with your family, especially if you have children interested in history or culture. There are many things that you can do with your family at the memorial, such as:

• Read the speeches and learn about their meanings and contexts.
• Take pictures of the statue and the views of the National Mall.
• Watch the changing of the guard at the nearby Arlington National Cemetery.
• Visit the nearby memorials for other presidents or wars.
• Participate in ranger-led programs or activities.

Remembering those who came before us

The Lincoln Memorial is more than just a monument. It is where you can learn about one of the most remarkable figures in American history, who faced many challenges and overcame them with courage, wisdom, and grace. It is also a place where you can practice mental health by following some of the habits that Lincoln himself adopted in his own life.

By visiting the Lincoln Memorial, you can not only appreciate its beauty and significance but also enrich your mind and soul.

If you want to learn more about the Lincoln Memorial before or after your visit, here are some resources that you can check out:

• The official website of the National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/linc/index.htm
• The Wikipedia article on the Lincoln Memorial: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Memorial
• The Britannica article on the Lincoln Memorial: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lincoln-Memorial-monument-Washington-DC

A Cultural Trip Through Washington D.C.:  From the George Washington Memorial to Avesta Ketamine

George Washington Mem Pkwy

1. Head south on George Washington Mem Pkwy toward Marina Dr (1.0 mi)
2. Sharp left to stay on George Washington Mem Pkwy (3.0 mi)
3. Use the right lane to merge onto I-395 N via the ramp to Washington D.C. Entering the District of Columbia (0.6 mi)
4. Use the right lane to stay on I-395 N and follow signs for Capitol Hill/Nationals Pk/Verizon Ctr (0.4 mi)
5. Use the right lane to take the 12th St exit toward L’Enfant Prom (0.2 mi)
6. Keep left to continue on 12th St Expy (0.6 mi)
7. Turn right onto Constitution Ave. NW. Destination will be on the right (0.1 mi)

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington D.C. 20560, United States

1. Head west on Constitution Ave. NW toward 12th St NW (0.3 mi)
2. Turn right onto 14th St NW (0.6 mi)
3. Turn left onto I St NW (0.2 mi)
4. Turn left onto 16th St NW/Black Lives Matter Plz NW (407 ft)

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 20500, United States

1. Head north on 16th St NW/Black Lives Matter Plz NW toward I St NW (407 ft)
2. Turn left onto I St NW (0.4 mi)
3. Turn left onto 19th St NW (0.6 mi)
4. Turn right onto Constitution Ave. NW (0.2 mi)
5. Use the left two lanes to turn left onto Henry Bacon Dr NW (0.2 mi)
6. Henry Bacon Dr. NW turns slightly right and becomes Lincoln Memorial Cir NW (108 ft)

Lincoln Memorial

2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington D.C. 20002, United States

1. Head west on Lincoln Memorial Cir NW toward 23rd St NW (318 ft)
2. Slight right onto Pkwy Dr. NW. May be closed at certain times or days (0.3 mi)
3. Turn left onto Rock Creek and Potomac Pkwy NW. Parts of this road are closed Mon–Fri 6:45 – 9:30 AM (2.5 mi)
4. Continue onto Beach Dr. NW/Rock Creek Pkwy NW. Closed Mon–Fri 6:45 – 9:30 AM (249 ft)
5. Keep right to continue on Beach Dr NW. Parts of this road are closed Mon–Fri 6:45 – 9:30 AM (1.9 mi)
6. Turn left onto Tilden St NW. Turn may not be allowed at certain times or days. Destination will be on the right (459 ft)

Peirce Mill

2401 Tilden St NW, Washington D.C. 20008, United States

1. Head southeast on Tilden St NW (459 ft)
2. Turn right onto Beach Dr NW (0.5 mi)
3. Turn right onto Porter St NW (364 ft)

Rock Creek Park

Washington D.C. United States

1. Head west on Porter St NW toward Williamsburg Ln NW (0.6 mi)
2. Turn right onto Connecticut Ave NW (2.3 mi)
3. Enter the traffic circle. Entering Maryland (236 ft)
4. Exit the traffic circle onto Connecticut Ave (0.6 mi)
5. Turn left onto a restricted usage road (112 ft)
6. Turn left. The destination will be on the right (131 ft)

Chevy Chase Club

6100 Connecticut Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, United States

1. Continue to Connecticut Ave (1 min, 0.1 mi)
   1. Head south toward Connecticut Ave (0.1 mi)
   2. Turn left toward Connecticut Ave (102 ft)
2. Follow Connecticut Ave to Newlands St (27 sec, 0.1 mi)
   1. Turn right onto Connecticut Ave (187 ft)
   2. Continue straight to stay on Connecticut Ave (469 ft)
3. Turn left onto Newlands St (51 sec, 0.1 mi)
4. Slight right onto Connecticut Ave (3 min, 1.1 mi)
5. Drive to your destination (2 min, 0.1 mi)
   1. Turn left (295 ft)
   2. Turn left. Your destiny will be on the right (407 ft)

Columbia Country Club

7900 Connecticut Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, United States

1. Head east toward Connecticut Ave (53 sec, 0.1 mi)
2. Follow Connecticut Ave to S St NW in Washington D.C. (21 min, 5.6 mi)
   1. Turn right onto Connecticut Ave (1.1 mi)
   2. Continue straight to stay on Connecticut Ave (0.4 mi)
   3. Enter the traffic circle. Entering District of Columbia (351 ft)
   4. Exit the traffic circle onto Connecticut Ave NW. Pass by Wells Fargo Bank (on the left) (4.1 mi)
3. Turn left onto S St NW (3 min, 0.5 mi)
4. Turn right onto 16th St NW (2 min, 0.3 mi)
5. Turn right. Destination will be on the right (5 sec, 69 ft)

Avesta Ketamine and Wellness

1400 16th St NW Suite 101, Washington D.C. 20036, United States