<strong>100 years of the Lincoln Memorial:</strong> One of America's most sacred spots takes on a special aura at sunset. Click through the gallery to see historical pictures.
100 years of the Lincoln Memorial: One of America's most sacred spots takes on a special aura at sunset. Click through the gallery to see historical pictures.
rabbit75_fot/Adobe Stock
<strong>President Abraham Lincoln:</strong> This photograph of Lincoln was made by Alexander Gardner in Washington on November 15, 1863, during the Civil War. Lincoln would be assassinated less than two years later.
President Abraham Lincoln: This photograph of Lincoln was made by Alexander Gardner in Washington on November 15, 1863, during the Civil War. Lincoln would be assassinated less than two years later.
Alexander Hesler
<strong>Groundbreaking:</strong> The ceremony was held in 1914, the same year that World War I started. Critics of the project did not like the location, which was derided as a swamp.
Groundbreaking: The ceremony was held in 1914, the same year that World War I started. Critics of the project did not like the location, which was derided as a swamp.
National Photo Company Collection/Library of Congress
<strong>Construction:</strong> By January 1915, work on the memorial was underway. Europe was embroiled in war by this time, but the United States did not get involved until two years later.
Construction: By January 1915, work on the memorial was underway. Europe was embroiled in war by this time, but the United States did not get involved until two years later.
National Photo Company Collection/Library of Congress
<strong>More construction:</strong> Another building-in-progress photograph from 1915. There are 36 columns on the memorial, which represent the number of states in the Union at Lincoln's death.
More construction: Another building-in-progress photograph from 1915. There are 36 columns on the memorial, which represent the number of states in the Union at Lincoln's death.
Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress
<strong>The visionaries:</strong> Daniel Chester French, bottom left, designed the statue of Lincoln. With him is Henry Bacon, who designed the memorial.
The visionaries: Daniel Chester French, bottom left, designed the statue of Lincoln. With him is Henry Bacon, who designed the memorial.
National Photo Company Collection/Library of Congress
<strong>Cornerstone:</strong> The Lincoln Memorial's cornerstone was laid in 1915. The building stands in isolation in a landscaped circle at the west end of the National Mall.
Cornerstone: The Lincoln Memorial's cornerstone was laid in 1915. The building stands in isolation in a landscaped circle at the west end of the National Mall.
Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress
<strong>Dedication:</strong> Crowds gather outside the Lincoln Memorial for a Memorial Day dedication in 1922. The seating was segregated by race, but the organizers chose Dr. Robert Moton, president of Tuskegee Institute, as the keynote speaker.
Dedication: Crowds gather outside the Lincoln Memorial for a Memorial Day dedication in 1922. The seating was segregated by race, but the organizers chose Dr. Robert Moton, president of Tuskegee Institute, as the keynote speaker.
National Archives/Newsmakers/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
<strong>Speech:</strong> President Warren G. Harding spoke from the top of the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Harding praised Lincoln, saying he "rose to colossal stature in a day of imperiled union."
Speech: President Warren G. Harding spoke from the top of the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Harding praised Lincoln, saying he "rose to colossal stature in a day of imperiled union."
National Photo Company Collection/Library of Congress
<strong>Turning point in history:</strong> Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. acknowledged the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial during his "I Have a Dream" speech on August 28, 1963.
Turning point in history: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. acknowledged the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial during his "I Have a Dream" speech on August 28, 1963.
AP