Discover the Secrets: Top 12 Fun Facts About the Lincoln Memorial You Never Knew

1. Pillar Roll Call

In a "pillar" move of architectural design, Henry Bacon opted to turn the Lincoln Memorial into a literal roll call for the Union states: each of the majestic thirty-six columns symbolizes a state that had Lincoln's back at the time of his death, while the two columns guarding the entrance get to play team captains for the Union – all of them crafted from glorious Colorado Yule marble and towering at 44 feet high. Take that, Greek temples!
Source => ipl.org

2. Herculean Architecture

Hold on to your toga and channel your inner Greek god, because the Lincoln Memorial is about to give you a Herculean dose of classical inspiration: With an awe-inspiring interior divided into three chambers, the Memorial flaunts 50-foot-tall Ionic columns, a 60-foot-high ceiling adorned with bronze gibbers, and panels made of translucent Alabama marble, making it an architectural Olympian.
Source => nps.gov

Did you know it took 50 years and two types of marble to complete the iconic Washington Monument? Discover this and more quirky facts about the towering tribute!

=> Fun Facts about The-Washington-Monument

3. Lincoln's Life Mask

When Abe Lincoln decided to "face" the future and give us all a "hand" in history, little did he know he'd have help from an artistic champ: Daniel Chester French used Lincoln's life mask and casts of his own hands as models to create the iconic Lincoln Memorial statue. Enlisting the guidance of renowned photographer Matthew Brady, French completed the masterpiece on November 19, 1919, before its grand unveiling in Washington D.C. on May 20, 1922.
Source => yeodoug.com

4. Five-Dollar Secret

Feeling short-changed, America? Well, the Lincoln Memorial on your five-dollar bill has been holding out on you: It only features the names of 26 states, instead of the 48 that were present when the memorial was constructed, representing just the ones visible on the front side of the monument – talk about a half-hearted tribute!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Abe's Glowing Review

Who said statues can't have glowing reviews? Abe Lincoln certainly has his own, and it's a literal one: The inscription behind his statue in the Lincoln Memorial states, "IN THIS TEMPLE AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE FOR WHOM HE SAVED THE UNION THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS ENSHRINED FOREVER," and emits a radiant glow at night, giving him the spotlight he deserves.
Source => nps.gov

6. WWII Marble Gouge

In a classic case of "Oops, my bad" meets national monument: During World War II, the Lincoln Memorial was accidentally struck by three friendly fire shots from anti-aircraft guns installed to protect Washington, D.C., leaving a baseball-sized gouge in the marble façade above the entrance, without any visitors injured.
Source => history.com

7. Abe's Fasces

While Honest Abe doesn't always have a leg (or fasces) to stand on: The Lincoln Memorial features Daniel Chester French's magnificent sculpture of Abraham Lincoln seated upon a chair adorned with fasces, an ancient Roman symbol of power and authority, which the memorial subtly incorporates to emphasize the strength and unity that Lincoln tirelessly fought for during his presidency.
Source => nps.gov

8. Abe's Hidden Stash

Beneath Abe's sizeable seat lies a secret stash of presidential proportions: The Lincoln Memorial houses a hidden room below its grand chamber, which was originally intended to be the final resting place for Abraham Lincoln's coffin, but now serves as a storage area, as per his wishes to be buried in his home state of Illinois.
Source => nps.gov

9. Marian's Outdoor Concert

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade – or in Marian Anderson's case, when they say you can't sing inside, take it outside and make history: Denied access to an indoor venue because of her skin color in 1939, the legendary singer's impromptu concert at the Lincoln Memorial attracted 75,000 people, turning the memorial into a beacon for civil rights, and even inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. in his activism.
Source => nps.gov

10. Dr. King's Dream Platform

Who needs stairs for speeches when you can build a stage? At the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. famously brought his dream to life, but not from the spot you might assume: Instead of standing on the steps of the memorial, Dr. King delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech on a temporary platform in front of it, and the commemorative marker is found 18 steps from the top landing, placed there in 2003 with Coretta Scott King present during the dedication.
Source => mallhistory.org

11. Abe's Puzzle Statue

Talk about being all in pieces: Honest Abe needed a bit of a puzzle-solving approach to his statue transportation! The Lincoln statue at the memorial, constructed with Georgia white marble, weighs an impressive 175 tons and had to be shipped in 28 separate components just to make the journey possible.
Source => nps.gov

12. Forrest Gump Meets MLK

If Forrest Gump and Martin Luther King Jr. had a splashy rendezvous, it would most likely be at a certain serene pool in the heart of Washington DC: The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, prominently featured in the renowned "Forrest Gump" movie, boasts historical significance as the backdrop of MLK's unforgettable "I Have a Dream" speech during the 1963 March on Washington, providing visitors with breathtaking views of both the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.
Source => capitalregionusa.org