Landmarks of the USA: Lincoln Memorial and More
Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial commemorates the life of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the USA. It is located in Potomac Park, Washington, DC (District of Columbia). Designed by Henry Bacon, the style is that of a Greek Doric temple with 36 enormous columns. Lincoln’s statue was sculpted by Daniel Chester French.
The 36 Doric columns represent the 36 states of the Union at the time of President Lincoln’s death in 1865. Construction of the Lincoln Memorial began in 1914. The building was built with marble from the state of Colorado, and Lincoln’s statue was made from blocks of marble from Georgia.
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States of America. He served as president from March. He was born in a log cabin near Hodgenville, Kentucky. He eventually became a lawyer and a Republican politician. Lincoln married Mary Todd in 1842, and they had four sons, but only one survived childhood. He was elected president in 1860. In January, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which eventually led to the freeing of all slaves in the USA. Lincoln was shot on April by John Wilkes Booth, an actor.
The American Flag
The colors of the American flag have symbolic meanings:
- White: Purity and innocence.
- Red: Valor and bravery.
- Blue: Vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
The stars are considered symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun. The flag has undergone many changes since the first official flag of 1777. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act, which stated that the flag would be made up of thirteen white stars.
The Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell is a huge bronze bell that symbolizes freedom in the United States of America. This historic bell is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The bell was originally commissioned as a bell for the Pennsylvania State House (now called Independence Hall).
The Gateway Arch
The Gateway Arch is an elegant monument to westward expansion in the USA. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, the arch rises above the city skyline. There was a nationwide competition in 1947, and an architect won the contest. Construction of the arch began in February and finished. It was opened to the public.
The Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is an obelisk-shaped building in Washington, DC, that was built to honor the first president of the United States of America, George Washington. The exterior of the Washington Monument was completed in December, and it was opened to the public in October.
George Washington
George Washington was the first president of the United States of America. He served as President from April until March. He was born on February 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. His father died when he was 11 years old. He had very little formal schooling and worked as a woodsman. He married Martha Custis. He was selected to the House of Burgesses in Virginia. He died in December 1799 at his home.
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty in New York is symbolic of freedom throughout the world. It was a gift from the people of France in recognition of the French-American alliance during the American Revolution.
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed the Statue of Liberty. The hollow copper statue was built in France and finished in July.