Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Lincoln Memorial











Watch this video of Marian Anderson singing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939.

11 comments:

  1. The Lincoln Memorial reminds me of Dr. Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech.

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  2. I love looking at pictures of the Lincoln Memorial at night because in the mist of darkness you could see this great light coming from within the temple, it is such a great representation of hope and the values of our country. It makes me think of John Winthrop’s speech of a “City on a Hill” and how we were to set an example for the whole world to see.

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  3. The Lincoln Memorial embodies freedom and is one of the most inspiring places that I have ever seen.

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  4. The Lincoln Memorial is the symbol of the classical traditions on which are republic was founded. It is not surprising that it is our embodiment of classicism at its best. Nothing can be more reflective than Marian Anderson singing on its steps. -Nick

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  5. I just happened across this, a little feature on anonymous plans for memorials to Lincoln around NYC sketched after the news of his assassination:

    http://documents.nytimes.com/lincoln-assassination-new-york-memorial-diary#p=1

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  6. The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most inspiring places to visit in D.C. The statue of Lincoln plainly clad emotes so much to so many. From freedom, sacrifice and equality to struggle, bloodshed and suffering. It is both a place of reflection and celebration.

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  7. There aren't many words to describe this monument. Even if you have seen it in movies or in pictures, it doesn't matter. Being there, on those steps, is an amazing experience. I felt very small.

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  8. As Jake said the night we visited, the memorial lends itself to self discovery and it seemed to propel one to walk forth and see Lincoln upclose and personal. This design seems very deliberate and successful. I think I am most struck by the memorial's promince in the Mall, besides the Washignton Memorial which takes center stage. This memorial seems to scream "Lincoln is our favorite!"

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  9. Finally seeing the Lincoln Memorial at night was a thrill. It has an ethereal nature to it at night. It reminded me of the great fight that America went through and how far we have come but also how far we still have to go as a nation. Lincoln looks down upon us and on Washington as a protector of sorts.

    It was also interesting to learn about all the symbolism in the monument, such as the hand gestures of Lincoln possibly having meaning as well as the fact that he sits in a Roman senators chair. So many different meanings stuffed into one monument; a great teaching tool!

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  10. I just love this site. It is the first place that comes to mind when I think of Washington D.C. It represents struggle, division in thought and sentiment but ultimately unity. It remains me that there is not just one national identity but that in reality our national identity is made up of many. What makes our national identity special is that we can all agree to debate, listen and defend our own thoughts and eventually come closer to building a more inclusive identity.

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  11. The Lincoln Memorial is perhaps the most American of monuments. It is an example of the evolving meaning of monuments as it has been used as a stage for significant developments in American history: Marian Anderson's 1939 concert; Dr. King's "I Have a Dream"; countless protests, marches, and speeches; the concert on the eve of President Obama's inauguration. I doubt anyone at the time of construction of the Lincoln Memorial could have foreseen these events, and yet it seems so natural to me, in the hindsight of history, that they happened there. It was awe-inspiring to stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in the shadow of and the footsteps of greatness: looking up at the larger-than-life statue of President Lincoln, down at the mall towards the Washington Monument, finding the spot where Dr. King stood.

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