Abraham Lincoln was born on Feb. 12, 1809 in a one-room log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky. He came to be the 16th president of the United States and is regarded for his preservation of the Union during the Civil War and the emancipation of slaves.
Before becoming president, Lincoln worked to support his family, which limited his ability to go to school. After settling in New Salem, Illinois , Lincoln worked as both a shopkeeper and postmaster while teaching himself law. He passed the bar examination in 1836 and moved to Springfield to begin his career as a lawyer and later a politician.
As President of the United States, he proved to be a military strategist and a strong leader for our country during our nation’s most vulnerable time. He is viewed as one of the greatest presidents in U.S. history.
To honor President Lincoln and his memory, several communities around the state are hosting events to celebrate his birthday.
Springfield
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield is hosting a birthday party for the 16th president on Monday Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The museum is celebrating Lincoln’s birthday with free admission, historical characters, music and birthday cake.
At 11 a.m. on Feb. 12 at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Kate Masur, a professor at Northwestern University, will speak about John E. Washington, the first African-American to publish a book about Abe Lincoln. Washington wrote the book They Knew Lincoln in 1942. Michael Burlingame, a professor at University of Illinois Springfield, will also be speaking about other African-Americans who knew President Lincoln in Washington, D.C.
The Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. This year marks the 84th consecutive year that Springfield American Legion Post 32 and its auxiliaries are sponsoring the Annual National American Legion Pilgrimage to the Tomb of Abraham Lincoln. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 12 and includes speeches and the placement of a wreath on his tomb.
Tours are offered daily at Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield. The first tour of the day is at 9 a.m., and the final tour is at 4:30 p.m. Free tour tickets are available at the visitor center . To celebrate his birthday, the site is hosting a Looking for Lincoln lecture by George L. Painter.
Bloomington
The David Davis Mansion State Historic Site in Bloomington will celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 209th birthday on Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Guests can meet Lincoln reenactors, take tours, and enjoy birthday cake.
Children are invited to hear stories of President Lincoln and learn about his relationship with David Davis, a close friend and fellow lawyer. Lincoln appointed Davis to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1862.
Vandalia
The Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site is hosting an Abraham Lincoln birthday celebration on Feb. 10 from 1–3 p.m. This historic site is the oldest surviving capitol building in Illinois.
Elmhurst
The Elmhurst History Museum will host “Genesis of the Gettysburg Address” on Feb. 11 from 2–3 p.m. Registration is required and admission is $5.
