The memorial's address, 1964 Independence Ave SW, was chosen to commemorate the year the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law.
The sculpture is comprised of 159 individual granite blocks, assembled to appear as a single, monolithic piece.
The sculpture of Dr. King was intentionally designed to look out toward the Tidal Basin and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
A controversial inscription on the side of the statue was removed in 2013 after critics argued it misquoted King and made him appear arrogant; the granite section was cut out and replaced.
The memorial is positioned to form a visual 'line of leadership' along the National Mall, connecting the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is located on the northwest shore of the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., covering four acres of land. The centerpiece is the 30-foot-tall Stone of Hope, a granite sculpture of Dr. King emerging from a mountain, carved by sculptor Lei Yixin. It features an inscription wall containing 14 quotes from King's speeches, sermons, and writings. The design is inspired by a line from his 'I Have a Dream' speech: 'Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.' It was the first memorial on the National Mall dedicated to an African American and the first to a non-president. The site includes a Crescent Wall that frames the memorial and serves as a transition space. It is managed by the National Park Service as part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks.
From the opposite side of the Tidal Basin or near the water's edge to capture the statue with the memorial's mountain silhouette reflected in the water.
Visit during the spring, specifically during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, when the surrounding Tidal Basin trees are in bloom.
Walk the path around the entire Tidal Basin to view the memorial from different angles, including the reflection in the water.
Avoid driving directly to the site as parking is extremely limited; use public transit or ride-sharing services to reach the general Tidal Basin area.
Maintain a respectful, quiet demeanor as this is a site of national remembrance.
