The Dedication of the Lincoln Memorial: Honoring Honest Abe on May 30
May 30 is a beautiful and meaningful day in U.S. presidential history — it's the date in 1922 when the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., was officially dedicated!
Thousands of people gathered on the National Mall to honor President Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president who led the country through the Civil War and worked to end slavery. Former President William Howard Taft (who was then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court) gave a speech, and President Warren G. Harding spoke as well. The giant statue of Lincoln sitting in his chair was unveiled, and his famous words from the Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address are carved on the walls inside.
The Lincoln Memorial quickly became one of the most important and visited places in Washington, D.C. It has been the site of many big moments in American history, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.
If you're learning about Abraham Lincoln, monuments, or how we remember great leaders, this May 30 event is a wonderful one to know!
Who Was Abraham Lincoln? Quick Bio for KidsAbraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States (1861–1865). He grew up in a log cabin, taught himself to read, became a lawyer, and was known as "Honest Abe" because he always told the truth.Lincoln is famous for:
- Leading the North during the Civil War to keep the United States together.
- Signing the Emancipation Proclamation to help free enslaved people.
- Giving the short but powerful Gettysburg Address, which begins with “Four score and seven years ago…”
What Happened on May 30, 1922?
- A huge crowd came to the dedication ceremony near the Potomac River.
- The beautiful white marble building with its giant statue of Lincoln was revealed.
- President Warren G. Harding spoke about Lincoln’s greatness.
- The memorial was built to look like a Greek temple, with 36 columns (one for each state in the Union when Lincoln was president).
- Since that day, millions of people from all over the world have visited to remember Lincoln and the ideas of freedom and equality he stood for.
- The statue of Lincoln is 19 feet tall — if he stood up, he would be almost 30 feet tall!
- Lincoln’s hands rest on the arms of the chair — one hand is clenched (showing strength) and the other is relaxed.
- The words “In this temple, as in the hearts of the people…” are carved above the statue.
- At night, the memorial is lit up and looks very peaceful.
- Many important speeches and protests have happened in front of it because of what Lincoln stood for.
What do you think? Would you like to visit the Lincoln Memorial someday and sit on the steps like many people do? Or want to learn more about Honest Abe’s funny stories?
