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 ...
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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.
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New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 128 p. Contains: Illustrations. Images of America. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 128 p. Contains: Illustrations. Images of America. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 128 p. Contains: Illustrations. Images of America. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Memorial Day, 2022, marked the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Published in November, 2021, this short photographic history, "The Lincoln Memorial" offers an excellent overview of the Memorial and its significance. Written by historian Kevin Schindler and Washington, D.C. attorney, Brian Anderson, the book is part of the Images of America series of photographic histories of American places published by Arcadia Publishing. The book consists of well-chosen photographs of this iconic American place with commentary by the authors.
The most interesting part of this book is the discussion of the dedication ceremony on May 30, 2022. Attendance at the event was estimated at 50,000 with the ceremony broadcast nationwide on the radio. Most of the African Americans in attendance were required to set in a segregated section under the patrol of guards. The one African American speaker at the event, Dr. Robert Moton, head of the Tuskegee Industrial Institute, was required to rewrite his presentation to soften his remarks on racial inequality. Other speakers at the event included Chief Justice William Howard Taft and President Warren Harding. Lincoln's son Robert was in attendance but did not speak. The ceremony was designed to promote the theme of national unity rather than racial equality.
The authors develop the theme of national unity in their discussion of the history and design of the Memorial. Construction plans for the Memorial were controversial from the outset and the project developed over many years during the height of the Jim Crow Era. While it recognizes Emancipation, the overriding theme of the Memorial was the creation of a strong united nation and the reconciliation of North and South.
The book discusses the planning and location of the Memorial, the difficulties encountered during construction and the nature of the Memorial itself with its Greek temple-like structure and large statue of Lincoln. Many small, supportive features of the Memorial also receive attention.
In addition to discussing the Lincoln Memorial, the book discusses other features of the National Mall, including many of the more recent additions. The discussion helps contextualize the Memorial among the other features of national significance.
For the past century, the Memorial has been used in many ways for large events which consider the nature of our country. Among the most famous of these events were the August 28, 1963 March for Jobs and Freedom which featured Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's "I have a Dream" speech and Marian Anderson's performance on Easter Sunday, 1939 under the auspices of the National Park Service after the DAR had denied Anderson the use of Constitution Hall. These and many other events are described briefly in this book together with a consideration of the place of the Memorial in American culture.
I have visited the Lincoln Memorial many times during my years in Washington, D.C. The most recent was in the summer of 2021 when I toured the Memorial in the company of my visiting daughter and two grandchildren. It was a hot afternoon as I struggled with the stairs as my grandchildren saw the Memorial and were awed for the first time.
This short book offers a fitting introduction to a place of great national and international importance. It will enhance the ability of its readers to reflect on the Memorial, on Lincoln, and on the United States and its promise and history.
