The Lincoln Memorial is perhaps one of the most iconic monuments in the United States, let alone the capital.
It has appeared in countless movies, our bills, and the back of our pennies, not to mention it’s been the setting for many historic speeches -but despite being one of the best-known monuments in the country, Lincoln Memorial sure knows how to keep a secret.
So without further ado, here are 10 monumental facts you may not have known about the Lincoln Memorial!
1. TheLincoln Memorial project succeeded with a little help from Lincoln’s friends
Five bills for the construction of the Lincoln Memorial had been rejected until Senator Shelby Collum and Speaker of the House Joseph Cannon allied to pass the sixth and final bill.
Both men had known Lincoln during his time in Illinois. They managed to push the Memorial bill through and President Taft signed it in 1911.
2. Lincoln Memorial is the second monument dedicated to President Lincoln
Well before the bill for the now-famous Lincoln Memorial was approved by Congress, the people of Washington DC commemorated America’s 16th president with a much more modest commission.
Locals raised $25,000 for a standing statue of President Lincoln by artist Lot Flannery.
The statue was erected on Apr 15, 1868–the third anniversary of Lincoln’s death–on the steps of what was then the City Hall, now the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
It still stands there today.
3. The monument almost took the shape of a pyramid
We may not be able to imagine DC’s landscape without the iconic Greek temple, but what if it had been a pyramid instead?
Congress considered several different designs before Henry Bacon’s Greek-inspired building won.
Amongst them were John Russell Pope’s wacky designs which involved building the Lincoln Memorial in the shape of a Mayan temple, a Mesopotamian Ziggurat, or an Ancient Egyptian pyramid!
4. The monument has exactly 87 steps
From the Reflecting Pool all the way up to the temple there are exactly “four score” an “seven” steps, reminiscent of Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Adress. The National Park Service (NPS) says the number of steps wasn’t intentional, but we think its a very appropriate climb nonetheless.
5. There’s a typo on the wall
As you probably already know, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address are carved onto the temple walls.
While President Lincoln delivered his speeches with impeccable oratory, the carver in charge of etching these in stone wasn’t quite as flawless.
On the Second Inaugural address, you’ll find that the engraver carved the letter “E” instead of an “F” spelling “euture” on the phrase ” high hope for the future.”
The letter was quickly recarved so it wouldn’t be readily obvious, but if you look closely you’ll still be able to see the carver’s mistake.
6. The president’s statue is a bit bigger than originally intended…
Daniel Chester French’s original blueprints included a 10-foot tall Lincoln but as construction went on, French made the statue almost double its size to avoid it being dwarfed by the monumental temple housing it.
If the 19-foot-tall Lincoln were to stand up, he would be a whopping 27 feet tall.
A fitting colossal statue for such a famously tall man.
7. Lincoln’s allegedly pulling signs
Urban legend says French purposely laid out the President’s hands to spell the letters “A” and “L” in American Sign Language.
NSP has never confirmed this theory but there’s compelling evidence that suggests this might be true
One of French’s earlier sculptures was that of deaf pioneer Gallaudet where he was teaching a student the letter “A.”
French also notably tweaked his original model for Lincoln’s right hand, changing it from a clenched fist to a more relaxed, open hand.
8. Legend says there’s a face carved on the back of Lincoln’s head
Continuing on legendary paths, another popular myth claims there’s a face carved on the back of Lincoln’s hair.
Nobody seems to agree, however, on whether that face is Daniel Chester French’s or Lincoln’s Southern foe, General Robert E. Lee’s.
We’ll have to wait for someone to climb up Lincoln’s back and bust this myth, but hopefully, nobody tries this any time soon.
9. The Lincoln Memorial is linked to the home of his Civil War enemy
Speaking of General Lee…The Arlington Memorial Bridge stretches out over the Potomac just behind the Lincoln Memorial. It’s meant to symbolically link the Memorial with the home of Lincoln’s enemy as a sign of reconciliation and reunification.
10. Not all you see of Lincoln Memorial is what you get
Did you know that if you visit Lincoln Memorial you won’t see the monument in its entirety?
About 40% of the monument is actually hidden underground in the shape of a giant, cathedral-like vault.
This underground chamber, colloquially known as the Lincoln undercroft serves as a foundation for the heavy marble monument sitting on top of it. Just as beautiful and monumental as the temple it supports the Lincoln undercroft was perhaps the monument’s best-kept secret until now. Undergoing renovations at the memorial will soon allow visitors to take a peek into this hidden underground chamber.