The Lincoln Memorial: A Living Temple of Leadership and Liberty
If you ever find yourself at the west end of the reflecting pool on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., you will immediately feel the gravity of your surroundings. The Lincoln Memorial is more than just a tourist stop; for many, it feels like a sacred place.
Architecture with a Purpose
Designed by architect Henry Bacon, the memorial was built in a style reminiscent of a Greek Parthenon. While Roman architecture is more common in D.C., Bacon chose the Greek style because Greece was a democracy before Rome. The structure features 36 columns, each representing a state that was in the Union during the Civil War.
Interestingly, there is an entire world beneath the marble floor. Because the memorial was built on wetlands, workers had to dig 30 feet down to reach solid bedrock. Today, huge columns support the memorial from below, and the underground area even contains stalactites and historical graffiti. An urban explorer’s dream space.
The Evolution of a Monument
When the memorial was dedicated in 1922 by President Harding… with Lincoln’s only surviving son, Robert Todd Lincoln, in attendance… the narrative focused heavily on national unity. In the years following the Civil War, Lincoln was primarily celebrated as the “Union Savior”. However, this focus on sectional reconciliation often came at the cost of excluding the story of the Emancipation Proclamation and the experiences of Black Americans.
This narrative began to shift in 1939. When singer Marian Anderson was barred from performing at Constitution Hall because she was Black, Eleanor Roosevelt intervened, arranging for her to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial instead. This event transformed the monument into a stage for protest against racial discrimination.
This legacy was cemented in 1963 when Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech to 250,000 people from those same steps. By using language that mirrored Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, King reclaimed the memorial as a “temple of civil rights”.
Leadership Lessons from the “Union Savior”
Inside the memorial, a 19-foot-tall, 175-ton statue of Abraham Lincoln sits flanked by his most famous words: the Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address. In the latter, Lincoln used the powerful phrase, “With malice toward none and with charity for all”.
The memorial serves as a reminder of what true leadership looks like:
- Uniting during division: Great leaders have the talent to bring people together when a country is torn apart.
- Healing over defeating: The strongest leaders do not just seek to defeat their opposition; they seek to heal the division.
A Must-See Destination
Whether you are interested in history, architecture, or the nuances of leadership, the Lincoln Memorial is a “must-see”. It stands as a living monument that connects the American Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence to the 20th-century Civil Rights Movement. Even today, in 2026, the lessons Lincoln offered regarding national healing remain deeply relevant.
If you haven’t been yet, put Washington, D.C. on your travel list. It is an experience that will truly blow your mind.
Uncovering History. Inspiring Leadership. The Travel in Time Show is where travel, history, and leadership intermingle with history teacher, author, and speaker Dan Blanchard
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*See Dan’s Interview with Marian Anderson + Martin Luther King Jr.: (Coming soon)
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Travel in Time with Dan – Mixing Travel, History, and Leadership with me, Dan Blanchard!