The Unfinished Lincoln Memorial. Teaching with Documents.

Construction began on the memorial to Abraham Lincoln in 1915, fifty years after his assassination. Sculptor, Daniel Chester French, designed the statue to honor the 16th U.S. President. French had gained a national reputation with his earlier portrayal of "The Minute Man," a statue to honor those colonials who died at Lexington and Concord (Massachusetts) in 1775. President Warren G. Harding dedicated the building and the sculpture on May 30, 1922. The marble likeness of Abraham Lincoln stares across the reflecting pool at the Washington Monument on the Capitol's grassy mall. The memorial has been the scene of many events and public protests since its completion. This lesson plan furnishes an overview of the memorial's construction; identifies the National History Standards and National Civics and Government Standards correlations; presents seven diverse activities for classroom implementation; and provides three historic photographs for analysis (Reflecting Pool; Unfinished Lincoln Memorial; and Ku Klux Klan.) Additional photos are attached. Contains a photo analysis worksheet. (BT)