The Abraham Lincoln 200th Birthday—Where to Celebrate
By Mary Kate Cary, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
President Obama commemorated Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday today at the United States Capitol, and there are ceremonies all across America as well. Newspapers and magazines are full of recommendations for Lincoln books (the best of which is Bill Safire's review of the best of the Lincoln books in last Sunday's New York Times Book Review). Few people know it, but Bill spent eight years writing a Lincoln biography.
Sure you can go to the Lincoln Memorial or the newly re-opened Ford's Theater. But if you want to commemorate the Lincoln Biennial in a place that's off the beaten path, go to the newly-restored Lincoln Summer Home in Washington, DC. The Summer Home opened last year in time for Presidents' Day, and I was lucky enough to chaperone a school field trip there recently. Here's a good AP article on it that ran the day it opened if you'd like to learn more.
It's on a breezy hill overlooking the city, and President and Mrs. Lincoln spent the summers of 1862 through 1864 there. Right next door is the old Soldier's Home, and surrounding that is a cemetery where many of the Civil War soldiers are buried. Lincoln used to pace the rows of headstones at night when he couldn't sleep, and they're still there. The cottage itself is fully restored but sparsely furnished, with only a replica of the desk that Lincoln used as he worked on the Emancipation Proclamation. (The original is in the White House, in the Lincoln Bedroom.) There's even a little bookstore full of Lincoln books. I bet they have many of the ones on Safire's list.
It's a wonderful spot, unlike any other in Washington. Next time you're in DC—especially with the kids—take the time to visit this secluded spot that most tourists don't know about. It's the best-kept secret in Washington.
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Reader Comments
OBAMA & ABRAHAM LINCOLN ?? OUTRAGEOUS !!!!!
OBAMA COMPARING HIMSELF TO LINCOLN IS INAPPROPRIATE. HE TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE WITH HIS HAND ON LINCOLN"S BIBLE
AND WITH THAT SAME HAND SIGNED A DECREE TO ABORT AND KILL
BABIES IN THE USA AND AROUND THE WORLD. ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS
A MAN OF GREAT CHARACTER, WHO VALUED LIFE AND LOVED PEOPLE.
WHAT WILL BE OBAMA"S LEGACY IF HE CONTINUES THE ABORTIONS
AND THE KILLING OF BABIES ? WILL IT BE HONOR OR A DISGRACE ?
NOW ... OBAMA WANTS CONTROL OF THE CENSUS ?
honest abe
abe was a great man now let's celebrate his 200th birthday.
Lincoln and Republican/Abolitionists Divided the Country
Lincoln introduced a bill on Jan 10, 1849 to get rid of slavery in the District of Columbia. If he had been president instead of Polk, Texas would never have been annexed to the Union. There would have been no war with Mexico, no California, no SW, no land from sea to shining sea! It was because of slavery in Texas!
Lincoln and his Republican/Abolitionist Party wanted to abolish slavery and thus divided the nation. Then he started the Civil War which killed 500,000 whites and destroyed the South. AND HE IS PRAISED AS BEST PRESIDENT FOR SAVING THE UNION WHEN HE WAS THE ONE WHO DIVIDED IT! AND YOU DUMB PHOLKS BELIEVE IT.
Slavery is not a sin. God had laws regulating it. Paul told slaves not to care if they are called as slaves. But if they could make THEMSELVES free, they should. The onus is on the slave to free himself, NOT A WAR. I Cor. 7:14.
The North disobeyed God by not returning escaped slaves and sending them to Canada or hiding them in the states. Paul returned an escaped Christian slave to his owner and said he would pay the master reparations. Philemon.
The principle: Israelites were to be the head. Gentiles the tail. We are an Anglo-Saxon, Israelite nation. But we are great sinners so the curse on us is the tail becoming the head and the head becoming the tail. Thus BO.
Some say kidnapping blacks was wrong. Well what about Rome who conquered whole nations and made the peoples slaves. God, thru Paul told those slaves who became Christians not to worry but be happy.
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