Where is the Lincoln Memorial? What is the US President famous for?

Even Ukrainian right-wing activists will envy the agility of some of our anti-Soviet activists. Those who are haunted by Lenin’s monuments, while ours are furious about the mausoleum on Red Square, even if it is hidden from the view of passers-by by all available means.

Another anti-Soviet initiative was made by one of the deputies of the Liberal Democratic Party (Zhirinovsky, as you know, has long been haunted by Lenin’s remains). As reported in the news of January 10, LDPR deputy Ivan Sukharev proposed discussing the issue of Lenin’s burial. You know, the deputy doesn’t like the fact that money from the budget is spent on maintaining the mausoleum.

First of all, it should be noted that Mr. Sukharev is lying. Lenin's body has already been buried in the mausoleum. A tomb or mausoleum is a common method of burial throughout the world, including Russia. No worse than any other method.

Wikipedia has an interesting article that simply lists similar burial structures -. Looking at this article, we find:


  • A. Lincoln Mausoleum in Springfield (Illinois, USA, from 1871-1874)

  • W. Grant Mausoleum (General Grant National Memorial) in New York (New York State, USA, since 1897)

  • Mausoleum of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at Frogmore Estate (Berkshire,

  • Great Britain, from 1862-1871, Victoria - from 1901)

  • Great Britain Hamilton's Mausoleum in Hamilton (Scotland, Great Britain, from 1842–1858)

  • Welf Mausoleum (Hannover, Germany, since 1842)

  • Mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen in Nanjing (PRC, from 1926-1929)

  • Mausoleum of M. B. Barclay de Tolly in the village of Jõgeveste (Helme parish, Estonia, since 1832)

  • Mausoleum-crypt for Russian soldiers in Razgrad (Bulgaria, from 1879-1880)

  • Mausoleum of N. I. Pirogov in the village of Visheya near Vinnitsa (Ukraine, since 1881)

  • Mausoleum of Alexander I of Battenberg in Sofia (since 1897)

  • Mausoleum-chapel of St. George the Victorious (remains of Russian and Romanian soldiers) in Pleven (Bulgaria, from 1903-1907)

  • Mausoleum of the Karadjordjevics in the Church of St. George in Oplenac (Topola community, Šumadija district, Serbia, since 1910)

  • Monument-mausoleum of soldiers of the Soviet Army in Lodz (Poland, since 1961)

  • and many others

Consequently, mausoleums were built in different countries, at different times, by Orthodox and non-Orthodox people. A mausoleum is, by definition, a funerary structure that includes a chamber for the remains of the deceased.

But there is also such a funeral structure as a tomb. For example, there are tombs of Russian tsars in the Peter and Paul Fortress

tomb of Admiral Nakhimov

Etc. etc.

Why is no one in the Duma worried that these remains are not interred? Because the body of the deceased does not have to be placed on the ground in order to be considered buried.

If we take old Soviet newspapers and look at what they say about Lenin’s death, we will be convinced that the mausoleum was the place burials remains of V.I. Lenin.

Therefore, if Lenin's body already buried, then what is the LDPR deputy talking about? Contrary to world experience and common sense, should we consider Lenin’s body not buried? It won't work that way. No matter how much one’s hands itch, no matter how much one wants, it will not be possible to bury Lenin. It can only be rebury, but this is not the same thing at all.

If the burial of the body can be explained by some kind of humane attitude towards the deceased, then the reburial from a place of honor on Red Square cannot be explained by any other reasons other than revenge on the deceased. This is revenge on Lenin from ungrateful descendants, who for some reason got it into their heads that the Soviet state was a black hole and a disgrace in the history of Russia, and therefore want to get rid of the symbols of that era. This is all clear. The only question is, why should society, which for the most part perceives the Soviet past in a completely different way and is proud of it, follow the lead of a bunch of possessed anti-Sovietists?

I’ll speak for myself: I’m categorically not satisfied with such knee-jerk remarks about liberal democrats. Let them decide what they want, but let them just try to touch Lenin - I’ll be in Moscow the next day. You didn’t put it in, and it’s not for you to take it out. Let the people have their say in the referendum, but until they have said it, it is not for you, gentlemen, to desecrate the burial of the founder of the Soviet Union.

I call on all red bloggers and everyone who holds our Soviet past dear to unite to give a decisive rebuff to all attempts by anti-Soviet grave diggers to dance on Lenin’s remains.

Of all the US presidents, Abraham Lincoln is held in the highest esteem in the world. And the monument that was erected to him in Washington is a worthy tribute to the memory of this man, who has an excellent combination of the best character traits: perseverance, honesty, tolerance. The sixteenth President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, went down in the history of the country as its liberator from slavery. In gratitude for his services to the Fatherland, a memorial with a thank you inscription was erected to him in the historical part of Washington, in the National Mall complex. The idea of ​​building a Lincoln Memorial arose in 1856, immediately after the assassination of the president.

Several sculptors competed for the best design of the monument, however, only in 1914 did its construction begin, which was completed only in 1922. The dedication of the Lincoln Memorial took place on May 30, 1922, in front of more than fifty thousand people. The author of the project was Henry Bacon, a specialist in the field of sculpture and author of the memorial in the city of Lincoln, located in Nebraska.

The Lincoln Memorial is a majestic temple made in the ancient Greek style and somewhat reminiscent of the Parthenon. It is supported by 36 white marble columns, representing the number of states that belonged to the United States at the time of President Lincoln's death. In the center of the temple there is a statue of the president sitting in a chair. Its height is 5.79 meters. It seems that the statue is made from one solid piece of marble, however, in fact it consists of many parts, connected to each other so professionally that the adhesion points are practically invisible.

On either side of the wall are two of his most famous speeches—the address at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Soldiers' Cemetery in November 1863, and the second inaugural address, which was delivered a month before the end of the Civil War, on March 4, 1865. At the top, on the cornice, there are 48 garlands, symbolizing the 48 states that were part of the United States at the time of the opening of the Lincoln Memorial. The height of the structure is 57 meters, and its width is 36 meters.

At night, the monument is illuminated by spotlights, and every year on February 12, Abraham Lincoln's birthday, Americans lay a wreath here. The Lincoln Monument is located near the Potomac River, on the same line as the Washington Monument, which overlooks the stunning Sparkling Pool, and the Capitol. A little further west, the Arlington Bridge spans the Potomac River, which is also a symbol of the unification of the northern and southern states - after all, this is exactly what US President Abraham Lincoln fought for with all his might.

Major historical events have taken place near the Lincoln Memorial more than once. One of the most famous was the rally on August 28, 1963, when the workers' March on Washington took place, advocating for freedom and jobs. On that day, more than 250 thousand people listened to the world-famous speech of Martin Luther King. In his speech, he, paying tribute to the Manifesto for the Emancipation of Slaves, published exactly 100 years before this event, uttered his words “I Have a dream” (“I have a dream”), and spoke about his own vision of life in a democratic and free country , in which there is no racial discrimination. During his speech, King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. And 40 years later, to commemorate this event, a memorial plaque with the words “I Have a dream” was installed here.

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Abraham Lincoln is one of the most famous US presidents. It was he who led the state during the Civil War and won it, putting an end to slave labor and legitimizing the equality and freedom of all citizens. Today, not only Americans, but also many representatives of other nations know who Lincoln is. The Sixteenth Memorial is one of the most iconic and will be of interest to every tourist.

History of creation

Lincoln did a lot for the prosperity of his country and the American people. The decision to perpetuate the memory of this outstanding politician was made in 1867. However, for various reasons, the start of construction of the majestic complex was postponed and postponed several times. In 1913, a site for construction was finally chosen and the project was approved. A year later, the first foundation stone was laid. The grand opening took place in 1922. The ceremony was attended by the son of the great president, Robert Todd Lincoln. The memorial turned out to be impressive and incredibly beautiful. Today it is a popular tourist attraction. It is officially managed by the National Park Service.

Description of the attraction

The author of the project is Henry Bacon, an architect who proposed to build the memorial in the tradition of ancient temples - with a lush colonnade and other characteristic elements. Limestone imported from Indiana and marble quarried in Colorado were used to construct this majestic building. The facade of the building is surrounded by 36 columns - that is how many states were united by the day Lincoln died. The memorial is not only a sign of memory of an outstanding politician, but also a symbol of the equality of all representatives of the American nation and civil freedom. On the walls of the building you can read the names of 48 states of America (that’s how many there were at the time of completion of construction). Later, two more appeared: Hawaii and Alaska were the last states to join, so they are mentioned on a separate plaque.

Great President Statue

It is not only the appearance of the memorial that deserves attention. Inside it is a huge statue of Lincoln. The height of the sculpture is 5.79 meters, and the total weight is 175 tons. The President is depicted in a sitting position in a comfortable chair. His face is facing the Capitol and the Washington Monument. Various urban legends interpret this feature of the sculptural composition in different ways. However, the most common version is that Lincoln calmly and thoughtfully contemplates these buildings, without expressing any strong feelings. There are also two plaques inside the memorial, one featuring the president's inauguration speech and the other the address after the Battle of Gettysburg. The interior of the memorial is decorated with frescoes reflecting the life path and personal beliefs of the great political figure.

According to some versions, the Lincoln statue is not at all simple. The face of General Robert E. Lee is said to be carved into the back of the president's head, looking out over the former home and now cemetery. Another popular belief is that Lincoln uses his hands to show his initials in sign language. Representatives of the National Park Service officially deny such urban legends. Meanwhile, the sculptor who created this statue actually knew American Sign Language and could easily give the president’s hands the desired position.

How to get to the Lincoln Memorial?

Today, one of the main symbols of freedom and equality of all people in America is open to tourists all year round. The memorial is located on the National Mall in Washington, and while visiting it you can see other significant sights. Very close to this monument is the famous sparkling pool. The exact address of the attraction is: 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle, Washington, District of Columbia 20037, United States. If you don’t know your way around the USA well, know that all you have to do is get to Washington and ask any local where the Lincoln Memorial is. Attention: there are too many tourists here during the day. If you want to fully experience the grandeur of the monument and be alone with your thoughts, come early in the morning or after sunset. At night, the majestic memorial is illuminated and looks completely different than during the day, somehow mysterious.

Does everyone like the Lincoln Memorial (Washington)?

American citizens are especially sensitive to the history of their state and outstanding figures of past years. All schoolchildren are instilled with a deep sense of patriotism and a special attitude towards political figures. Abraham Lincoln (the memorial dedicated to him has long been considered one of the significant symbols of Washington) is also for his people one of the special presidents who made a significant contribution to the prosperity of his country. However, despite the widespread love and respect, the main monument to the 16th state manager, apparently, is not liked by everyone. The Lincoln Memorial has been targeted by vandals twice. The first time, its back wall was painted, and the second time, paint was poured over the legs of the statue. Those found guilty in these cases were unable to adequately explain the motives for their actions. These incidents stirred up the public, the majority of respectable US citizens were agitated and outraged. The memorial is considered one of the national symbols and is liked by most

The Lincoln Memorial is a memorial complex located on the National Mall in downtown Washington. Was built in honor of the sixteenth US President Abraham Lincoln



His presidency occurred during the Civil War (1861-1865). The memorial, erected from 1914 to 1922, symbolizes Lincoln's belief that all people should be free.

Story


Demands to build a worthy monument to perpetuate the memory of the president have been expressed since his death. The first public memorial to Abraham Lincoln was dedicated three years after his assassination, in 1868, in Washington, D.C., in front of D.C. City Hall (currently home to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit).

In March 1867, Congress decided to create a national memorial. There were many delays in the implementation of the project, the decision to build was postponed several times (in 1901, 1902 and 1908), and only in 1913 did Congress approve the design and location of the memorial.

Initially, the construction commission's plan was questioned: the monument in the form of a Greek temple, proposed by the architect Henry Bacon, seemed too majestic to perpetuate the memory of such a modest man as Lincoln, in addition, the marshy area in West Potomac Park was not very suitable for the construction of such a large structure . And yet the plan was approved, and $300,000 was allocated for the project.

Workers position the cornerstone of the memorial building in 1914

The monument was unveiled on May 30, 1922, with the former president's only surviving son, Robert Todd Lincoln, attending the ceremony.

Poet Edwin Markham reads his poem "Lincoln, a Man of the People" at the official dedication of the Memorial. May 30, 1922

Limestone from Indiana and marble from Colorado were used for construction; the sculpture of the president was made from marble mined in Georgia.

The monument was initially controlled by the Department of Public Buildings and Grounds, but on August 10, 1933, the memorial was transferred to the National Park Service.

The swamp in front of the Lincoln Memorial, near the Potomac River, in 1917. Work is underway to transform the site into a 2,000-foot (609-meter) long reflecting pool.

On August 28, 1963, the monument witnessed one of the largest demonstrations in American history, the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Many speeches were then made from the steps of the memorial, including Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a dream” address. In memory of this event, a memorial plaque was installed near the entrance.

Composition


Compositionally, the building symbolizes the Union. There are 36 columns along its perimeter—that’s how many states had united at the time of Lincoln’s death. The names of 48 states (that’s how many there were by 1922, when the memorial was completed) are carved along the outer wall of the building. A plaque with the names of the last two states to join, Alaska and Hawaii, is installed at the approaches to the memorial.

Lincoln statue inside the memorial


At the center of the memorial is a statue of Lincoln by Daniel Chester French, who used photographs by Matthew Brady to depict the president seated with a pensive face, looking toward the Washington Monument and the Capitol. The Lincoln statue is 19 feet (5.79 m) tall and weighs 175 tons. Right above it on the wall are the words:

“In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved unity, the memory of Abraham Lincoln will live on forever.”

Nowadays


The memorial is open 24 hours a day. More than 6 million people visit it annually. In 2007, the monument was ranked seventh on the American Institute of Architects' list of the 150 most popular buildings and structures in the United States.

City's legends


Several popular urban legends are associated with the president's statue. According to one of them, the face of Robert Edward Lee is carved on the back of Lincoln's head, looking towards his Custis-Lee mansion in Arlington.



According to the second legend, using American Sign Language, the president demonstrates his initials: his left hand gestures the letter “A”, and his right hand “L”. The National Park Service denies this. However, historian Gerald Prokopovich believes that French may well have been familiar with sign language and in such an original way thanked Lincoln for the establishment of Gallaudet University; in addition, the publication of the National Geographic Society claims that one of the sons of the author of the sculpture was deaf, and the sculptor himself spoke sign language.



Images on banknotes


From 1959 to 2008, the Lincoln Memorial was featured on the reverse of the U.S. 1-cent coin, which was issued to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the president's birth. The image was created by an engraver who had never seen the memorial itself. And although the Minister of Finance liked it, numismatists were critical of it, “looking like a trolleybus,” calling it “an artistic disaster.” An image of the monument can also be seen on the back of the $5 bill.



P.S.:


I was never able to photograph the memorial itself without people present. No matter what time of day I came to this place, it was not deserted: someone was sitting on the steps and reading a newspaper, someone was warming up, someone was taking selfies, the cleaners were cleaning the memorial, as if the president himself would speak here today. But the main influx of visitors occurs in the evening, when there is nowhere to even put a tripod.




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