A grateful nation honors a martyred president who guided the country through Civil War and freed 4 million enslaved people.

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14th 1865 just as the Civil War was ending.

But the Lincoln Memorial has taken on a significance beyond merely commemorating the 16th president, as one of the most recognized buildings in the world, a symbol of the United States of America.

Modeled after the Parthenon in Athens, Greece architect Henry Bacon felt that a memorial dedicated to a man who defended democracy should echo the birthplace of democracy.

The statue of Lincoln sitting in contemplation was carved by the Piccarilli brothers under the supervision of the sculpture Daniel Chester French and took four years to complete.

Henry Bacon was the New York architect who designed the Lincoln Memorial which stands at the West End of the National Mall.

The serious look on Lincoln’s face reminds you of the critical time of the Civil War through which the president guided our nation.   It’s peaceful here, almost solemn, with a serious air about.

In their New York Studio, the Piccirilli brothers transformed 28 blocks of white Georgia marble into intricately carved pieces that French himself perfected into the nineteen foot tall statue.

In the South chamber is the Gettysburg Address Lincoln delivered on November 19th 1803 during the dedication ceremony for the Soldiers National Cemetery.

In the North chamber is Lincoln’s second inaugural address which he delivered one month before the end of the Civil War.