In one month, the world celebrates the event we’ve all been planning. From sea to shining sea – and around the globe – school children, Lincoln look-alikes, governors and state legislatures, parliaments, universities, and citizens young and old will mark the birth of the 16th president.
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The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission is planning number of events for February 12. Please join us.
National Wreath-laying Ceremony
President Barack Obama has been invited to speak during the national wreath-laying ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial, which begins at 8:00 a.m. Senator Dick Durbin, ALBC Co-Chair, will preside. Four-time Grammy-nominated singer Michael Feinstein will sing the National Anthem accompanied by the U.S. Marine Corps Band. Acclaimed poet and author Nikki Giovanni will recite her new work, written especially for the Bicentennial.
Birthday Breakfast
Michael Feinstein’s appearance at the Lincoln Memorial is only a teaser. Following the wreath-laying ceremony, he will treat ALBC supporters to a performance of Gershwin and other favorites from the American Songbook during a benefit breakfast. Served in a heated tent adjacent to the Memorial, the hot, hearty foods common to a 19th century table will be a welcome respite after the February cold. To purchase tickets for Feinstein’s breakfast performance, please visit the ALBC Web site at http://www.abrahamlincoln200.org/ and look under “Latest News” on the home page. Proceeds from this event, at $125 per person, benefit the on-going work of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Foundation.
Bicameral Celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s Bicentennial:
A Congressional Tribute! House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Members of the House and Senate will pay tribute to the former legislator from Illinois in Statuary Hall, site of the House Chamber when Lincoln served in the 30th Congress from 1847-49. Doris Kearns Goodwin will speak about Lincoln’s presidential leadership, and Richard Norton Smith will address Lincoln’s early years as a state legislator and Member of Congress. ALBC Co-Chair and Transportation Secretary-designate Ray LaHood is master of ceremonies. The Congressional Tribute is by invitation only, but C-SPAN is expected to cover the event.
With Malice Toward None:
The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibit - The bicameral celebration of Lincoln’s Bicentennial is followed by the official opening of With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibit, mounted by the Library of Congress. The exhibit features documents, photos, letters, speeches, campaign artifacts and other rarely seen treasures from the Library's collections, including the Bible used during Lincoln’s first inauguration and which will be used by Barack Obama for his inauguration. The exhibit charts Lincoln’s growth from prairie lawyer to preeminent statesman and addresses the monumental issues he faced, including slavery and race, national disunion, and the Civil War.
National Teach-In
The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, in partnership with History Channel, will Webcast a National Teach-In on the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, originating live from the National Archives in Washington at 1:30pm EST. This special live Web event will feature Lincoln scholars Doris Kearns Goodwin, Matthew Pinsker, and Harold Holzer sharing their expertise and answering students’ questions from all over the country. Teachers, you can learn more about the National Teach-in here.
The Bicentennial in the Nation’s Capital
In addition to the ALBC’s events, numerous museums and cultural organizations in the Washington area are offering exhibits, lectures, concerts, and other tributes to Lincoln on and around February 12th. A few highlights include:
-Ford’s Theatre’s Rededication and Bicentennial Gala on the evening of February 11, and a birthday commemoration on February 12. http://www.fordstheatre.org/home/media-center/releases-and-updates
-Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Lincoln, displayed at the National Archives (Feb. 12-16)
-Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life exhibit at the National Museum of American History (on-going)
-One Life: The Mask of Abraham Lincoln exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery (on-going)
-My Abraham Lincoln exhibit at President Lincoln’s Cottage (on-going)
- Washington National Cathedral evensong worship service in honor of the Bicentennial (Feb. 12, 5:30 p.m.)
-Bicentennial Banquet, hosted by the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia at the historic Willard Hotel. Speakers include Sen. George McGovern and Craig Symonds. (Feb. 12, 6:00 p.m. More information at: www.lincolngroup.org/events.html )
Destination DC, one of the ALBC’s chief partners in the nation’s capital, has developed a Web site dedicated to the local efforts to promote the Bicentennial. On the website you will find a calendar of events, hotel packages, and more to plan a trip to DC for the celebrations. Please visit: http://www.washington.org/lincolnindc/
If you have any questions, please let the Commission know:
Eileen Mackevich –
Jennifer Rosenfeld –
David Early –
Ven Suresh –
Courtney Barefoot –
Hasan Aloul –
Telephone:
Resources:
Senator Diane Feinstein, Chair of the Inaugural Committee
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