Make it stand out.

Make it stand out.

The Lincoln Memorial is a renowned monument in Washington D.C. For black Americans, it holds particular significance as a symbol of freedom and civil rights. Here are five interesting black history facts about the Lincoln Memorial:

1. Marian Anderson performed here in 1939 after being denied the right to sing at the segregated Constitution Hall. Her performance drew a crowd of 75,000 people.
2. On August 28, 1963, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to an audience of 250,000 people during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
3. The interior panels feature murals by artist Jules Guerin, which include images of black Americans throughout history. One panel, for example, depicts a scene from the Underground Railroad.
4. The memorial was a site of protest during the Civil Rights Movement. Demonstrators used the steps and surrounding grounds as a rallying point and frequently clashed with police.
5. The memorial was designed by architect Henry Bacon and was constructed by a team of over 1,500 workers, many of whom were black.

Ida B. Wells and the Lynching of Sam Hose: A Tale of Resistance and Remembrance

Frederick Douglass was an important figure in American history, known for his work as an abolitionist, speaker, and writer in the 19th century. While many are familiar with some of the more well-known aspects of his life, such as his enslaved childhood and time as a powerful orator, there are a number of lesser-known facts about Douglass that are worth noting. For example, did you know that he was eventually appointed to a number of high-ranking government positions, including US Minister to Haiti? Douglass was also an accomplished musician, and he frequently played the violin in his free time. Additionally, he was an advocate for women's rights and supported the right to vote for all citizens, regardless of gender or race. These lesser-known aspects of Frederick Douglass's life paint a more complete picture of the man and his contributions to American history.