Statue of Abraham Lincoln (District of Columbia City Hall)

The Statue of Abraham Lincoln (District of Columbia City Hall) is a bronze sculpture of the 16th U.S. President located in front of the John A. Wilson Building, the city hall of the District of Columbia. The statue depicts Lincoln standing, holding a scroll, and is mounted on a granite pedestal.

Commissioned by the Lincoln Memorial Commission, it was sculpted by Lot Flannery and dedicated on April 15, 1868, the third anniversary of Lincoln's assassination. The statue is considered to be one of the earliest public monuments to honor Lincoln following his death.

The statue's placement in front of the city hall reflects Lincoln's role in freeing enslaved people in the District of Columbia through the Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862, a significant step towards national abolition. This act provided compensation to slave owners who freed their slaves, and the statue served as a reminder of this progressive action taken by the federal government in the capital city.

The statue has been subject to occasional vandalism and has been a focal point for protests and demonstrations throughout its history, reflecting ongoing debates about Lincoln's legacy and the complexities of race relations in the United States. Its significance lies not only in its artistic representation of Lincoln but also in its historical context and its continuing relevance to the city's civic identity.