"Legs Weaken and Head Tilts Skyward"... Lincoln Melts in '40-Degree Heatwave'

Heatwave Around 40°C Hits US Northeast
Washington DC Lincoln Memorial Melts
"Clearly Shows Extreme Climate"

The heatwave that hit the northeastern United States caused the wax figure of former President Abraham Lincoln to melt. On the 24th (local time), The Washington Post (WP) reported, "The Lincoln figure placed in the courtyard of Garrison Elementary School in Washington DC melted helplessly." This approximately 1.8-meter-tall sculpture was installed to raise awareness about the American Civil War and its aftermath, depicting Lincoln sitting on a chair.

[Image source=Capture from X (formerly Twitter)]

In the released photos, the Lincoln figure, originally sitting upright with a straight back, gradually melted until his head was completely tilted backward. Lincoln's face, which was facing forward, turned toward the sky, and even his legs began to loosen. Sandy Williams IV, a professor of art at the University of Richmond who created the sculpture, said, "I thought the statue would not melt unless the surrounding temperature reached 60°C." WP stated, "The melting of the Lincoln figure like soft ice cream on a hot summer day was probably not something the creator imagined."

As these photos spread on social media, netizens reacted, saying, "The Lincoln wax figure ultimately succumbed to the harsh heat of Washington DC," "The Lincoln figure lost its head due to the heatwave," and "A clear example of the current abnormal climate phenomenon." There were also cynical comments calling it "a true work of art reflecting the reality of the climate crisis."

Recently, the northeastern and midwestern regions of the United States have experienced record-breaking heatwaves due to a heat dome phenomenon. According to the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS), about 15 million people nationwide are under heat warnings, and 90 million are under heat advisories. Especially in the northeastern region, including Washington DC, which has relatively experienced less severe heat in the past, temperatures have soared to around 40°C this year, causing residents to suffer and resulting in numerous heat-related illnesses.

Not only in the United States but also in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, record-breaking heat damage is being reported ahead of the full summer season. In some areas such as Mexico, sudden floods and hailstorms, abnormal climate phenomena, have also appeared, raising concerns.