Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Overview

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is a 30-foot granite sculpture on the northwest shore of the Tidal Basin, honoring the civil rights leader. It is the first memorial on the National Mall dedicated to a non-president and an African American.

Highlights

• Stone of Hope: The central sculpture by Chinese artist Lei Yixin depicts Dr. King emerging from a mountain of despair.
• Inscription Wall: A 450-foot crescent wall featuring 14 quotations from King's speeches, sermons, and writings.
• Tidal Basin Setting: Positioned on a sight line between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, symbolically linking King to those presidents.

History

Authorized by Congress in 1996, the memorial opened on August 22, 2011, near the 48th anniversary of the March on Washington. Its design was selected from over 900 international submissions.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Walk the entire inscription wall to read all 14 quotes—they are arranged thematically, not chronologically.
• Tip 2: Visit during the Cherry Blossom Festival when the surrounding Tidal Basin is at its most scenic.
• Duration: 15–20 minutes.