Resources

Lincoln Bicentennial Curriculum
For information about Bicentennial activities, visit www.lincoln200.net
Gettysburg Address - Webcast - February 12, 2009
National Teach-In on Lincoln
Give a Lincoln for Lincoln
Special events for Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial
Bicentennial Envelope Contest Winners
Looking for Your Lincoln Hero Contest - Deadline extended to March 1, 2009
Presidential Library/Museum
Events Calendar (02/01/2009 - 02/15/2009)
The Abraham Lincoln Association

On this Day Image

JULY 2, 1864 -- President Lincoln writes to U.S. Supreme Court justice and friend David Davis and to federal judge Samuel Treat, of Springfield, Illinois, seeking each man’s “summary of the evidence, with your impression, on the Coles County [Illinois] riot cases.” On March 28, in Charleston, members of the 54th Illinois Infantry clashed with area Democrats and a riot ensued. Nine people died, including six soldiers and three citizens. Twelve people were wounded.

JULY 3, 1863 -- President Lincoln telegraphs his son Robert, who attends Harvard University, regarding Robert’s mother, Mary. Lincoln advises, “Dont be uneasy. Your mother very slightly hurt by her fall.” The day prior, Mary Lincoln suffered injuries in a carriage accident. A newspaper reports, “Her horses took fright and ran away as she was riding from the Soldier’s Home to the city. Seeing her imminent danger she leaped from the carriage, and was stunned and severely bruised, but no bones were broken…She soon recovered sufficiently to be taken to the White House.”

JULY 4, 1859 -- In the morning, Lincoln attends the July 4 festivities held at Turner’s Grove, located one mile outside of Atlanta, Illinois. Following music, an opening prayer, and a “reading of the Declaration of Independence,” Lincoln’s friend and fellow Springfield resident, James Matheny, delivers a speech. Afterward, Sylvester Strong presents Lincoln with a custommade cane. In the evening, Lincoln attends an ice cream social at the Congregational Church. A newspaper reports, “Speeches…were made by Gen. Matheny and Hon. A. Lincoln. Matheny quoted the poets and
Lincoln talked about eating.”

JULY 5, 1863 -- In the afternoon, President Lincoln and his son, Tad, visit General Daniel Sickles, who is recovering in Washington. On July 2, at Gettysburg, Sickles suffered a severe injury prompting surgeons to remove his right leg to a point “five inches above the knee.” A newspaper reports “[Lincoln, Tad] and a mounted escort, rode on horseback to Gen. Sickles’ door.” Lincoln “congratulated him on his ability and courage, and expressed the greatest regret that [Sickles’s] … wound … rendered amputation necessary.”

Lincoln Logs Archives

Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial

Illinois gears up for simultaneous reading of Gettysburg Address; Aiming for new Guinness World Record

Simultaneous reading at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 12 part of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th Birthday celebration with Abe fans across the nation

Gettysburg Address Readying The Illinois State Board of Education is joining with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to encourage students across the state to participate in a nation-wide simultaneous reading of the Gettysburg Address at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 12 and help set a new Guinness World Record. The reading is part of a series of state and national events marking Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday.

“This celebration of the life and legacy of our nation’s 16th President is a once in a lifetime opportunity,’’ said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. “We hope that everyone in school on Feb. 12 will recite President Lincoln’s highly regarded speech. Students can always open books and learn, but this is an opportunity to experience – and perhaps make – history.”

Lincoln’s Birthday is officially a school holiday, but schools can be in session that day. In fact, more than 93 percent of Illinois Schools have petitioned ISBE to hold classes on Feb. 12.

Assembly According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the record for most people reading aloud simultaneously is 223,363 participants. The February 12 reading will be broadcast live at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Museum and on its Web site. Teachers and school administrators can register for the reading at www.PresidentLincoln.org where they can also find the Gettysburg Address and other resources for the day, as well as forms that must be completed if that school wishes to become part of the world record attempt. Schools may participate without taking part in the record attempt if they wish.

Gettysburg Address Photo In addition, public school students in grades 5 and 8 who are in class that day will receive a commemorative poster with the 271 words that President Lincoln so eloquently delivered in 1863 on the battlefield near Gettysburg.

“Lincoln’s brief speech reminds Americans that the ideals of equality and freedom are the foundations of healthy democratic government,’’ said Illinois State Historian Thomas Schwartz. “A moving testament to the honored dead, the address is also a challenge to contemplate what the ultimate cause for their sacrifice was. Lincoln urges Americans to expand their understanding of American equality through a `new birth of freedom,’ for the former enslaved peoples.’’

The February 12 Gettysburg Address reading, entitled the Four Score and Seven Project, is generously supported by JP Morgan Chase, MacArthur Foundation and The Chicago Community Trust, and administered by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation.

“We know that teaching and learning become more effective when students are engaged and participating in what they’re studying,’’ said Superintendent Koch. “We hope that the activities of the day will whet the appetites of future historians.’’

The Gettysburg Address reading, entitled Four Score and Seven, is generously supported by JP Morgan Chase, MacArthur Foundation and The Chicago Community Trust.