05:07 am
Lincoln@200
Yes, the midwest has given us Rod Blagojevich, Norm Coleman, Dan Qualye, and Joe McCarthy. But none of them have an aircraft carrier named after them, none of them saved the republic, and none of them will have a nationwide celebration of their 200th birthday.
Abraham Lincoln, whose intellect and political sensibilities were forged in the tumultuous American midwest of the mid-1800’s, would be 200 years old on February 12, 2009. And a lot of events are being planned to mark the Lincoln Bicentennial.
Check out these sites and calendars for more information:
- Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (appointed by the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives)
- Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (Yes, the commission was established by the current governor. Get over it.)
And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Cities, states, and counties across the midwest have set up their own bicentennial celebration committees. There is even a Colorado Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. This may seem strange given that Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 and Colorado didn’t become a state until 1876. But the commission is focusing on Lincoln Administration efforts which promoted westward expansion.
How can you mark this historic moment? I have three ideas. First, bundle up the family and take them to one of the February 12 events listed on the links above. It will be a great opportunity to remind everyone just how fragile and just how resilient our nation is. And don’t forget to draw the connections between the leadership of Lincoln and the January 20th inauguration of Barack Obama.
Second, make plans to visit the fantastic Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois sometime in 2009. Opened in 2005, this is a full immersion experience in the life of The Rail Splitter, America in the 1800’s, the Civil War, and more. There is not one boring square foot in the entire place. Walk a couple of blocks from the museum to see the Old State Capitol (where the Obama campaign was launched), the Lincoln law offices, and the Lincoln family home. The whole Lincoln home neighborhood has recently gone through a stunning renovation.
Third, send the old man a birthday card. The Illinois commission is asking everyone to send a greeting. Here is the address:
Abraham Lincoln
Old State Capitol
1 Old State Capitol Plaza
Springfield, IL 62701
I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.
–Abraham Lincoln