Comments on: Happy Anniversary, Lincoln Memorial!

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 01:21:00 +0000

Daniel Chester French’s son was not deaf.

By: Barb

Barb — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:03:00 +0000

These are not sign language symbols that Lincoln is flashing. They are symbolic for: the right hand is open meaning receptivity or the feminine principle which is associated with the pillar (the fascia he has his arm on) of religion. The left hand is closed meaning power or male priniciple, representing state/government (the other fascia or pillar he is resting his arm on.) Note this is representing one ruler over everything…church and state.

By: Emma Amiad

Emma Amiad — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:33:00 +0000

February 12, 2009 will mark the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. On that day, our new president will rededicate the Lincoln Memorial. What could it tell the world and our own children about who we are now if, 200 years after the birth of the “great emancipator”, the rededication ceremony was led by our first black president?

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:50:58 +0000

Another bit of trivia: the patterns on the front of the chair Lincoln is sitting in are “fascia” – symbols of leadership and military power dating from ancient Roman times. These were originally bundles of sticks bound together with an axe in the middle. It’s also where the word “fascist” comes from, though that post-dates Lincoln and his memorial and has no connection other than etymology.

(Captcha is: “earmarked Armies” … hmmm)

By: jack

jack — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:52:43 +0000

Living in Washington I’d always heard number 8 represented as John Wilkes Booth, not Robert E Lee and that it was carved on the back of his head where he had been shot

By: Laura R.

Laura R. — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:05:37 +0000

I was just in D.C. at the beginning of the month, and despite being my fourth visit, it was my first time seeing the Lincoln memorial in the daytime. Gorgeous and inspiring – though I’d wish I’d known about the typo beforehand!

By: Witty Nickname

Witty Nickname — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:45:02 +0000

My wife is a speech therapist and she is always talking about the Lincoln Memorial’s sign language. She always told me it was because Lincoln’s son was deaf, maybe she meant the sculptor’s son… or maybe they were both deaf, who knows.

By: Ira

Ira — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:27:15 +0000

#6 was fascinating.

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:23:10 +0000

hands down the greatest memorial of them all. I tear up every time I visit due tot he sheer greatness of the man and what he represents.