The Lincoln Memorial is a monument dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, sitting in a contemplative state in the center of the national capital, Washington, D.C., adjacent to the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument. Designed by architect Henry Bacon with elements by sculptor Daniel Chester French, the monument was dedicated on May 30, 1922 and opened to the public the next day.
The theme of the Lincoln Memorial is unity and equality. This theme is reflected in the monument's design, which features a large statue of Lincoln seated in a chair, flanked by two columns representing the North and South. The statue is made of white marble, which symbolizes purity and strength. The columns are made of granite, which symbolizes durability and steadfastness.
The inscriptions on the Lincoln Memorial also reinforce the theme of unity and equality. The front of the monument features the following inscription:
> "In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever."
This inscription emphasizes that Lincoln is a symbol of unity for the American people, and that his memory will always be cherished. The back of the monument features the following inscription:
> "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations."
This inscription is a quote from Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, which he delivered on March 4, 1865. In this speech, Lincoln called for the American people to come together and heal the wounds of the Civil War. He urged them to put aside their differences and work together to build a better future for the nation.
The Lincoln Memorial is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that were made to achieve unity and equality in the United States. It is a symbol of hope for the future, and a reminder that the American people can overcome any challenges if they work together.