Lincoln Bicentennial

Lincoln Bicentennial. The Lincoln Bicentennial was a year-long celebration in 2009 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, who was born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky. This celebration was a collaborative effort between various organizations, including the United States Congress, National Park Service, Library of Congress, and National Archives, to honor the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, who played a crucial role in shaping the history of the United States, particularly during the American Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation. The Lincoln Bicentennial also coincided with the Inauguration of Barack Obama, the first African American President of the United States, who often referenced Abraham Lincoln and his commitment to freedom and equality.

Introduction

The Lincoln Bicentennial was a significant event that brought together people from all over the United States to celebrate the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, who is widely regarded as one of the most influential Presidents of the United States, along with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt. The celebration included various events and activities, such as exhibitions, lectures, and reenactments, which were organized by institutions like the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, and Ford's Theatre, where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865. The Lincoln Bicentennial also provided an opportunity to reflect on the relevance of Abraham Lincoln's ideas and values, such as liberty, democracy, and human rights, which continue to inspire people around the world, including Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr..

Background

The idea of celebrating the Lincoln Bicentennial was first proposed by the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, which was established by the United States Congress in 2000 to plan and coordinate the celebration. The commission was chaired by Richard Norton Smith and included members such as Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Herbert Donald, and Garry Wills, who are all renowned historians and biographers of Abraham Lincoln. The commission worked closely with other organizations, including the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, and American Library Association, to develop a comprehensive plan for the celebration, which included exhibitions, performances, and educational programs at institutions like the New York Public Library, Library of Congress, and National Archives.

Commemorations

The Lincoln Bicentennial commemorations took place throughout 2009, with various events and activities organized across the United States. One of the main events was the Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition, which was held at the Library of Congress and featured rare manuscripts, photographs, and artifacts related to Abraham Lincoln's life and presidency, including the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation. Other events included the Lincoln Bicentennial Concert, which was held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and featured performances by Aretha Franklin, Josh Groban, and the National Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Lincoln Bicentennial Parade, which was held in Washington, D.C. and featured floats, marching bands, and historical reenactments, including a recreation of the First Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln.

Legacy

The Lincoln Bicentennial had a significant impact on the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, who is widely regarded as one of the most influential Presidents of the United States. The celebration helped to raise awareness about Abraham Lincoln's life and presidency, particularly among young people, and inspired a new generation of historians, scholars, and leaders to study and emulate his example, including Barack Obama, who often referenced Abraham Lincoln in his speeches and writings. The Lincoln Bicentennial also led to the creation of new museums, monuments, and historical sites dedicated to Abraham Lincoln's life and legacy, such as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois, which was designed by Helmut Jahn and features a vast collection of artifacts and exhibitions related to Abraham Lincoln's life and presidency.

Cultural Impact

The Lincoln Bicentennial had a significant cultural impact, with Abraham Lincoln's image and legacy appearing in various forms of media, including films, television shows, books, and music. The celebration also inspired a new wave of Lincoln scholarship, with historians and scholars such as Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Herbert Donald, and Garry Wills publishing new biographies and studies of Abraham Lincoln's life and presidency, including Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America. The Lincoln Bicentennial also led to the creation of new artworks, sculptures, and monuments dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, including the Abraham Lincoln Statue in London, which was designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and features a bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln standing in front of a pedestal with the Gettysburg Address inscribed on it. Category:Commemorations