Lincoln at Antietam

This year marks the Bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. He was born on February 12, 1809 in relative obscurity in central Kentucky - then considered the backwoods frontier of America. His rise to the highest office in the land could not have been foreshadowed but would be the quintessential story of this growing nation – born in a log cabin, raised on hard work and the honest simple values of plain speaking and taking action.
     
He is arguably the most important president in the history of this nation by virtue of the crisis of disunion that faced him when he took office as the 16th president of the United States on March 4, 1861 and the manner in which his resolve maintained this country through four years of horrific Civil War. When he addressed the nation for the first time as president on that inauguration day he eloquently stated to all Americans that, "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

As a nation we celebrate the birth and achievements of this great American. We take time to do this because of what he means to the nation, to the world, and to the many individuals that his life has inspired.  The personal and emotional sacrifices he made to hold this nation together during the critical time of civil war is not the only reason we celebrate him – but also for the compassion and wisdom he showed for his countrymen and those that would tear it apart . His compassion was never more evident that in his second inaugural address to the nation on March 4, 1865, when he said,   "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."

There are hundreds of historical sites nationwide that commemorate the life and achievements of Abraham Lincoln – some are managed by state and local agencies and others by private organizations. The National Park Service has the honor of preserving and managing several areas that are both directly and indirectly related to the life and Presidency of Abraham Lincoln – places such as the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site in Hodgenville, Kentucky, Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois, Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site in Washington, D.C, and Mount Rushmore National Monument in South Dakota.

There are many events planned throughout the nation in 2009 that will provide opportunities to celebrate the Bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. A visit to one of the National Park Service, state, local or private sites offers a great opportunity to learn and reflect about a man who served his country as president and gave his “last full measure of devotion” to preserve the United States.  The information in this site can help visitors get started on a better understanding and appreciation for Abraham Lincoln. The National Park Service is working closely with the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, created by Congress to organize the nation’s observance of this milestone. The Commission’s web site, www.abrahamlincoln200.org , contains a wealth of information about Bicentennial events and places throughout the country.

 

01.26.09