Sunlight on the Lincoln Memorial highlights not just the ornate detail of the monument, but the variety of material used to construct it. Architect Henry Bacon made sure to use granite, marble, and limestone sourced from states throughout the country. At the time of Lincoln’s presidency, there were only 36 states in the Union, so all 36 of those states’ names are what’s carved into the frieze directly above the columns. Now that we’ve given you a little bump of patriotic pride, remember that it’s Election Day. Did you vote?
A truly American monument
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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A hidden jewel in Croatia
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Blue linckia sea stars in Papua New Guinea
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Mooncake time
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Dashing through the snow
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Infant Sumatran orangutan, Indonesia
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Morocco in bloom
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Gem State views
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National Lighthouse Day
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Trunks stick together
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Humming along
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In the Highlands for Saint Andrew s Day
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Río Negro, Amazon basin, Brazil
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A seabird gets schooled
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Green fields of grain
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Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
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The Cutty Sark turns 150
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The Cordillera de la Sal in the Cordillera Domeyko Range of Chile
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Happy Birthday, Eiffel Tower
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I am the walrus
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Happy anniversary to the National Park Service!
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A castle fit for a count
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Bay Marker Lookout, Sydney Olympic Park, Australia
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A unique elephant encounter in Nantes
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Great Backyard Bird Count
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Fresh water on the Silk Road
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Winter solstice
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National Napping Day
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Porto Cathedral, Portugal
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Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, California
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50 years of World Heritage Sites