Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | ALBC |
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| Motto | Live the legacy |
| Successor | Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation |
| Formation | 2000 |
| Type | State-Federal partnership |
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ALBC Co-Chair
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Richard J. Durbin |
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ALBC Co-chair
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Harold Holzer |
The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (ALBC) was a special group created by the United States Congress. Its main job was to plan and celebrate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, America's 16th president. Lincoln's birthday is on February 12, 2009. The commission worked for ten years, from 2000 to 2010. After it finished, a new group called the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation took over in 2011.
Contents
Who Were the Commissioners?
The ALBC was set up by a law passed in 2000. It had 14 members, called commissioners. These people were chosen because they knew a lot about Lincoln. They also had experience teaching others about his life and impact on history.
The commissioners were picked by the President, the United States House of Representatives, and the United States Senate. Governors from Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky also gave their ideas.
Some of the important commissioners included:
- Richard J. Durbin, a U.S. Senator from Illinois, who was a co-chair.
- Harold Holzer, who was also a co-chair and worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Dr. Gabor Boritt, a professor of Civil War studies.
- Jim Bunning, a U.S. Senator from Kentucky.
- Louise Taper, who owned a huge collection of Lincoln's belongings.
- Frank J. Williams, a retired Chief Justice and Lincoln expert.
- Ray LaHood, a former U.S. Congressman, who was a co-chair until 2009.
Eileen R. Mackevich was the Executive Director from 2006 to 2010. The ALBC offices were located in the John Adams Building at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Celebrating Lincoln's Legacy
The ALBC wanted to celebrate Lincoln's life and ideas. They hoped to inspire people across America and the world. The commission planned many projects and cultural events.
Here are some of the main events they organized:
- The National Opening Ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky and Hodgenville, Kentucky.
- A Mother's Day Celebration in Lincoln City, Indiana.
- A Birthday Tribute and Wreath-Laying Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
- Special events at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
- A celebration of Lincoln's birthday in the United States Capitol rotunda.
- An exhibit called "With Malice Toward None" in Washington, D.C.
- A National Teach-In at the National Archives.
- A conference at Howard University about Lincoln and race.
- A global conference at St Catherine's College, Oxford about Lincoln's worldwide impact.
Other tributes included:
- New penny designs featuring Lincoln's life.
- A new five-dollar bill design.
- A special 2009 commemorative dollar coin.
- Four new United States Postal Service Lincoln stamps.
- Ten town hall meetings held across the United States.
- A Dedication Day Ceremony in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address.
Reaching Out to People
The ALBC worked with many experts, public figures, and educational groups. They wanted to help everyone learn more about Lincoln. An advisory board of over 150 historians and leaders helped them. Famous people like Doris Kearns Goodwin, Ken Burns, and James M. McPherson were part of this group.
The ALBC also worked with the Library of Congress to create an exhibit called "With Malice Toward None." This traveling exhibit showed Lincoln's life through original speeches, letters, photos, and items.
Many organizations supported the Lincoln Bicentennial. These included the New-York Historical Society, the National Archives, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Special Celebrations and Events
The ALBC held several important events to mark Lincoln's 200th birthday.
Kentucky Inaugural Celebration
In February 2008, the ALBC started its two-year celebration in Louisville, Kentucky. Famous author Doris Kearns Goodwin spoke at a symposium about Lincoln's leadership. Later, there was a special show with the Louisville Orchestra and opera singer Angela Brown. Actor Sam Waterston and scholar Harold Holzer performed their show, "Lincoln Seen and Heard." A snowstorm unfortunately canceled the main ceremony at Lincoln's birthplace the next day.
Lincoln Mother's Day Celebration
On May 11, 2008, the ALBC honored the women in Lincoln's life in Lincoln City, Indiana. This event also kicked off Indiana's Lincoln Bicentennial. Strong winds and rain almost stopped the event, but the National Park Service moved it to a safer location.
Poetry Honoring Lincoln
On September 22, 2008, the ALBC hosted an evening of poetry and music. This event celebrated Lincoln's love for poetry and works inspired by him. Actors Joan Allen and Sam Waterston were special guests. The band Dead Man's Hollow played music from Lincoln's time.
National Teach-In
The ALBC, with the History Channel, held a live "National Teach-In" from the National Archives. Lincoln experts like Doris Kearns Goodwin and Harold Holzer answered questions from students. Over 5,000 schools in the U.S. and many more from nine other countries took part.
Lincoln Memorial Rededication Series
This was a three-part event at the Lincoln Memorial. It featured famous people like Colin Powell and the U.S. Marine Corps Band.
February 12, 2009: Lincoln's Birthday
On Lincoln's 200th birthday, singer Michael Feinstein sang the National Anthem. Poet Nikki Giovanni read a new poem for the Bicentennial. Senator Dick Durbin and Harold Holzer spoke. School children helped read the Gettysburg Address.
Later that day, President Barack Obama honored Lincoln in the United States Capitol rotunda. The U.S. Army Chorus sang "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Leaders from the House and Senate spoke about Lincoln's life and legacy.
April 12, 2009: Marian Anderson Tribute
Seventy years after singer Marian Anderson was not allowed to perform in a hall because of her race, she sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939. This historic moment helped start the modern civil rights movement.
On April 12, 2009, mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves performed at the Lincoln Memorial to honor Marian Anderson. The event also included a ceremony where 191 people from 56 countries became new American citizens. General Colin Powell gave a speech.
May 30, 2009: Memorial Rededication
On May 30, 1922, the Lincoln Memorial was officially dedicated. Exactly 87 years later, the ALBC held a "Rededication Retrospective." Speakers talked about how Lincoln and the Memorial are symbols of freedom. The United States Marine Band performed, and a student read a poem by Carl Sandburg.
National Town Hall Meetings
The ALBC organized a series of "National Town Halls" across the United States. These meetings discussed topics like "Race, Freedom, and Equality of Opportunity." They aimed to connect Lincoln's ideas to today's world.
Ten cities (and later an 11th) were chosen to host these discussions. Topics included voting rights, immigration, and leadership.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The first Town Hall was held at Gettysburg College on November 20, 2008. Panelists discussed Lincoln's role in the American Civil War and how his ideas relate to race relations and equality today.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) - Everett, Washington
On February 27, 2009, a Town Hall took place on board the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). This meeting focused on "Lincoln, Leadership, and the Military." Experts discussed military leadership and the role of African American sailors in the Civil War. A new jazz piece called "Letters From Lincoln" was also performed.
Washington, D.C.
The third Town Hall in Washington, D.C., focused on "The Right to Vote." Experts discussed the history of voting rights in the U.S. and the importance of voting. Musicians also performed at the event.
Detroit, Michigan
On April 20, 2009, the fourth Town Hall in Detroit discussed "Race, Freedom & Equality of Opportunity." Speakers included authors and professors who shared their knowledge.
Chicago, Illinois
The fifth Town Hall in Chicago explored how stories shape history and how history shapes stories. Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Chicago newspaperman Rick Kogan had a conversation at the Chicago Public Library.
Endorsed Events and Exhibits
The ALBC supported 224 events and programs in 37 states and two other countries.
ALBC Exhibits
The Library of Congress opened "With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition" on February 12, 2009. This exhibit showed Lincoln's journey from a lawyer to a great leader. It featured photos, letters, and items that were rarely seen. The exhibit traveled to several cities across the U.S. until 2011.
Related Events
The New-York Historical Society also had exhibits. One showed Lincoln's handwritten documents. Another, called "Lincoln and New York," was put together by ALBC co-chair Harold Holzer.
Lincoln's Global Impact
Oxford University in England hosted a conference about Lincoln's importance around the world. Scholars from many countries gathered at St Catherine's College, Oxford in July 2009. The conference, called "Global Lincoln," looked at four main topics:
Lincoln, the United States and the World
Experts discussed how Lincoln understood the world and America's role in foreign affairs. They also looked at how Lincoln's image was used around the globe, especially during the Cold War.
Lincoln the Emancipator and Liberator
This part of the conference focused on Lincoln's role as a liberator. Scholars shared how Lincoln was seen in Russia, Latin America (like Brazil and Cuba), and even in the American South after the Civil War.
Lincoln the Nationalist Unifier and Modernizer
This section explored Lincoln's influence between 1865 and 1945. Discussions included how Lincoln was seen in Germany and Italy as they united and grew. His influence in East Asia, India, South Africa, and during the Spanish Civil War was also discussed.
Lincoln the Progressive and Democrat
This final topic explored Lincoln's legacy in Great Britain and Ireland. Experts discussed how Lincoln's ideas influenced Scotland, England, and Wales. They also looked at his relationship with Ireland and Irish people in America.
