

He had a bust of Lincoln in his office, and wrote that Lincoln was devoted “to the just idea that all citizens are born free and equal”, and once even saying, “Long Live Lincoln!”. “Formidable and very interesting!” he murmured.įidel Castro remained an admirer of Abraham Lincoln for the next half a century. Then he went up the steps to the memorial and slowly, in a low voice, read the Gettysburg Address inscribed on the wall. Castro walked up to the crowd of several hundred, shook hands, and chatted. See if you and your fellow visitors can find it. The sculptor carving the address accidentally carved an 'E' at the beginning of the word FUTURE. The New York Times described Castro’s visit at the memorial: At the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. The Lincoln Memorial is an icon and any DC visitor must visit While youre there, look for the 'typographical error' in his second inaugural address that is carved into the north interior wall. The moment was immortalized by his photographer Alfredo Korda.

He hired a public relations firm, ate hot dogs, kissed ladies like a rock star, and held babies like a politician.ĭuring his visit Castro laid a wreath at the Lincoln Memorial and stood for some minutes in silent contemplation before the statue.
#LINCOLN MEMORIAL TYPO FULL#
Castro took full advantage of his 11-day stay. Nixon complained that Castro was “either incredibly naive about communism or under communist discipline”. Nixon asked about elections, and Castro told him that the Cuban people did not want elections. Vice President Nixon met Castro in a 3-hour long meeting. Instead of meeting Castro, Eisenhower left Washington to play golf. The trip had all the features of a diplomatic tour- he met American officials, appeared on Meet the Press, and visited national landmarks such as Mount Vernon and the Lincoln Memorial. Shortly after Fidel Castro took power in Cuba in 1959, he visited the United States for two weeks, invited by the American Society of Newspaper Editors.

Castro visiting the Lincoln Memorial during his visit to the United States, 1959.
