The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, is a monument to the nation's
16th president, a commemoration of the country's post-Civil War
reunification, and a setting for national events and quiet visits.
Demands for a national memorial to Abraham Lincoln began shortly after
his 1865 assassination but produced nothing substantial until the early
20th century. Elevation of Lincoln to legendary status and an extended
debate over location and design finally led Congress in 1913 to approve
a memorial at the west end of the National Mall. Construction took
another eight years. Since its dedication in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial
has hosted civil rights demonstrations, presidential events, national
celebrations, and day and night visits by millions of people who come to
reflect upon one of the most consequential leaders in American history.
Kevin S. Schindler is a historian at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff,
Arizona, and has written six books about science and history. Brian
Anderson is a Washington, DC, lawyer and Ford's Theatre Society trustee
who previously wrote a book about the history of Ford's Theatre. Drawing
upon Washington-area museums and research libraries, Schindler and
Anderson have assembled a rich collection of historical images to tell
the fascinating story of this American landmark.
