I've mentioned the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission more than a few times in the Abraham Lincoln Blog. The Commission, co-chaired by Harold Holzer and Ray LaHood, is the official organizer of the major celebrations honoring the 200th birthday of Mr. Lincoln. The Commission will be holding national events in Washington, D.C. on February 12th, 2009.
The day's events will kick off at 8:00 a.m. at the Lincoln Memorial for a birthday tribute and wreath-laying ceremony. President Obama has been invited to make a few appropriate remarks. In addition, acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni will recite a new work for the occasion. Grammy-nominated singer Michael Feinstein will perform. The Gettysburg Address will be recited by retired Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Frank J. Williams, who also happens to be a member of the Commission.
Immediately after the ceremony, a commemorative breakfast, open to the public, will be held in heated tents next to the memorial. Mr. Feinstein will continue to perform for the breakfast attendees. The price per person of $125.00 will benefit the Commission and its continued programs.
At 1:30 that afternoon, a "National Teach-In" will occur. The leaders of the teach-in will be Mr. Holzer, Lincoln scholar Matthew Pinkser, and the author Doris Kearns Goodwin, who of course wrote the book "Team Of Rivals: The Political Genius Of Abraham Lincoln."
For detailed information about the ceremony, breakfast, and teach-in, it may be found here at the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission's website. I heard earlier today from a staffer at the Commission, asking me if I'd provide some publicity for the events. I'm happy to oblige. I would absolutely LOVE to attend the ceremony at the memorial and the breakfast, but I'm not sure I'll have the time to do so. I can imagine how moving the ceremonies will be.
Other events that day will take place in Hodgenville, Kentucky which of course is close to Lincoln's birthplace. And certainly events will be occurring in Springfield, Illinois. More on those next week.
There's actually an event happening here in Boise, Idaho to celebrate Lincoln's 200th birthday. I'm really excited because I just might be able to attend.
ReplyDeleteIt's exciting to hear about other events happening around the country too! Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like a wonderful event but I continue to wonder why Ms. Goodwin is held out as a leading Lincoln expert. Her book was fine and well written but she missed exploring so many details of this situation. There are so many other experts in the field that they should be held in higher regard
ReplyDeleteHi Geoff,
ReplyDeleteThis email does not directly relate to your post, so I apologize for that.
Last July I wrote to you about our virtual Abraham Lincoln project, and you were very kind to mention our work on your blog. Well, I am very happy to contact you again, this time to let you know that our Lincoln will be making an appearance on the History Channel on February 16th, in a program titled "Stealing Lincoln's Body". Here are a couple of links you may be interested in. One is the press release from the History Channel with a quote from Harold Holzer, and the other one is a link to a preview of the show.
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=8429246183&topic=8443
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gd1U7THzWI
Thanks for your time and for a great blog,
Maria
Studio Macbeth, Inc.
What is to be "celebrated" on February 12, 2009 is the birth of the nation's greatest tyrant, not its greatest president. He waged an aggressive war of conquest (the so-called "Civil War") on his own people and effectively destroyed the original, voluntary Union of sovereign states. Lincoln's underlying goal was to destroy federalism and states' rights and create a more centralized government. The cost of his "saving" the Union (at the point of a bayonet) was the loss of perhaps 1,000,000 American lives (all causes, military and civilian) and destruction of much of the South. Equally important, the war forever changed the character of our government from a limited, decentralized republic to an overbearing, centralized authority beyond the control of its citizens. That is Abraham Lincoln's true legacy.
ReplyDeleteI chose to publish this previous comment so I can show my readers just how much some people get their history so wrong.
ReplyDeleteThese people who claim that Lincoln was a "tyrant" conveniently forget that it was the Confederacy, specifically South Carolina, which chose to fire on Fort Sumter in rebellion against the Federal Government. They also forget that it was Confederate troops who seized Federal Government property in the days and weeks leading up to the beginning of the war.
Never let the facts get in the way of opinion.
Geoff, Rebecca and readers.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to attend the following this weekend!! Massachusetts readers may be interested.
An Abe Lincoln Birthday Celebration, Milton Massachusetts
Sunday, February 8th from 12 - 4 p.m.
www.forbeshousemuseum.org
The Forbes House Museum has a long standing tradition of celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday. This year they are pleased to announce and honored that their Lincoln Bicentennial activities have been endorsed by both the State and National Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commissions. On February 8th, a Lincoln Day Bicentennial Celebration is planned at the Forbes House Museum, 215 Adams Street. The day will include Civil War
Re-enactors from the Mass 22nd and 54th regiments, a living history team portraying President Lincoln and Mary Todd, the US Navy Band Northeast, hot chocolate and selections from the Museum’s Lincoln Collection.
Cost: Free for all with a suggested $5 per family donation. Free parking.
Geoff, I'm so happy to hear about your Lincoln Weekend in Washington DC & I'm looking forward to your upcoming blogs on it. Thanks for all you do!!
Mr. Elliot, I really appreciate that you published my comments. As a Southerner who had numerous ancestors who served in the Confederate armed forces in the War for Southern Independence, I too, once held Abraham Lincoln in much higher regard, based on what we were all taught in the public schools. Over the years and after considerable research, I became convinced that the politically correct view of Lincoln was simply not true. I harbor no ill will to those who disagree with me; we can agree to disagree in a civil manner. True history has no room for political correctness; it should include warts and all. In closing, thanks again and God Bless y'all!
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