90 Years of Reverence for Our 16th President

The iconic Lincoln Memorial, situated on the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was dedicated on May 30, 1922.

Honoring the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, the memorial was modeled after ancient Greek temples, and includes 36 columns that surround the structure—one for each of the 36 states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death in 1865.

The interior of the monument includes a 19-foot statue of Lincoln, as well as large inscriptions from his second inaugural address and his famous Gettysburg Address. Carved into the wall above where Lincoln sits, these words greet all who come to pay their respects to one of our nation’s most important presidents:

“In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.”

In 2006, as part of the celebration of the Washington 2006 philatelic exhibition, this 1923 $1 Lincoln Memorial stamp was reissued. The stamp was originally issued on February 12, 1923—the 114th anniversary of President Lincoln’s birthday.

Have you visited the Lincoln Memorial? What kind of effect did it have on you?

Gone But Not Forgotten: National World War II Memorial

Dedicated on May 29, 2004, the National World War II Memorial is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, just east of the Reflecting Pool.

The memorial honors the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces during the war, and the millions more who supported them on the home front.

On May 25, 1993, President Clinton signed Public Law 103-32 authorizing the American Battle Monuments Commission to build the memorial in or around Washington, D.C. The memorial is funded primarily by private contributions. Construction of the memorial began in September 2001 and it opened to the public on April 29, 2004.

The Second World War is the sole 20th-century event commemorated on the central axis of the National Mall, where it joins other beacons of freedom. The U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument are symbols of the nation’s founding in the 18th century; and the Lincoln Memorial and statue of Ulysses S. Grant honor the nation’s preservation in the 19th century.

The memorial’s design, by Friedrich St. Florian—an architect based in Providence, Rhode Island—was one of 404 entries received in an open design competition in 1996. St. Florian’s design is intended to create a powerful sense of place that is distinct, memorable, evocative, and serene. Its principal features are the Rainbow Pool and memorial plaza. Ceremonial steps and ramps lead into the plaza, and two 43-foot arches serve as markers and entries on the north and south ends of the plaza. Each state and territory from the World War II era, and the District of Columbia, are represented by one of 56 pillars adorned with bronze wreaths, celebrating the unity of the nation during the war.

Issued on the day of the memorial’s dedication, the postage stamp honoring the achievement and ideals of the Americans who served during WWII was created before the memorial was completed. “The memorial was barely a scratch in the dirt when I was given the assignment,” stamp artist Tom Engeman said. His computer-generated design was based on photographs he and art director Howard E. Paine took of a scale model of the memorial housed in a trailer on the construction site. The stamp art depicts one of the two large memorial arches with a curving row of pillars, set against a dramatic sunset.

What does the National World War II Memorial mean to you?

D.C. Sites That (Might) Belong on a Stamp

Some of the Capital City’s most iconic landmarks have appeared on stamps, but with so many historically significant sites in one place, there are plenty that haven’t yet received postage stamp fame. Issued in 2003, this diamond-shaped Washington, D.C., stamp features a collage of distinctively D.C. images—a detail of Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s 1791 plan for the city; typical row houses in the historic Shaw neighborhood; vibrant cherry blossoms; and a view of the National Mall that includes the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial. In honor of the 210th anniversary of D.C.’s incorporation as a city today, we asked fans of Facebook and Twitter (are you following us?) which of their favorite monuments, parks, memorials, and hotspots in the city they’d like to see on a stamp.

We received some great suggestions across the board and picked out some of our favorites, which range from traditional, to cultural, to downright zany:

• The Old Post Office Pavilion – built in 1899, it features a beautiful clock tower and dramatic spires
• Vietnam Women’s Memorial – tucked away on the National Mall between the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Reflecting Pool
• Metropolitan Police Department and Fire & EMS Department – the unsung heroes of the nation’s capital
• Ben’s Chili Bowl – a D.C. institution churning out half-smokes and chili cheese fries since 1958
• Eastern Market – the open-air farmer’s, crafter’s, and flea market in the heart of Capitol Hill
• Marine Barracks Washington – the oldest active post in the Marine Corps
• Rock Creek Park – a haven of natural beauty and solitude in a high octane city
• Mumbo (or mambo) sauce – a true D.C. staple, this red-orange condiment has a subculture unto itself
• Metro – as much as we may hate the morning rush hour delays, the convenience of navigating the city without a car is undeniable

Have an idea of a D.C. destination that would look great on a stamp? Let us know in the comments!