List of memorials to Abraham Lincoln facts for kids
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Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, is one of the most famous leaders in American history. He is remembered for guiding the country through the difficult American Civil War. He worked to keep the nation united and played a key role in ending slavery. Because of his important leadership, many places and things honor his memory. He remains a powerful symbol of American democracy and national pride.
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Remembering Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln has always been a very important figure in American history. In earlier times, like the 1930s and 1940s, many Americans saw him as a truly special hero. Leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt even used Lincoln's words to inspire the country during tough times, such as World War II. People often wondered, "What would Lincoln do?"
Over the years, how people remember historical figures can change. While Lincoln is still highly respected, some historians note that public interest in all past presidents has shifted.
Many places dedicated to Lincoln are still popular today. These include the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois. Other important sites are Lincoln's New Salem and the famous Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.. While some places have seen fewer visitors over time, others, like Ford's Theatre, have become even more popular. These sites help people learn about Lincoln's life and legacy.
Special Groups and Anniversaries
People have formed groups to honor Lincoln for a very long time. The oldest group still active today is the Lincoln Association of Jersey City. It started in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1865. This was right after Lincoln's passing. Every year on his birthday, February 12, they hold a special dinner. Many important people have spoken at these events. In 2015, the association celebrated its 150th anniversary. They placed a wreath at Lincoln Park in Jersey City.
Lincoln's birthday, February 12, was once a holiday in many states. In 1971, Presidents Day became a national holiday. It combines Lincoln's and George Washington's birthdays. The Abraham Lincoln Association was formed in 1908. It helped celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. In 2000, Congress created the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. This group helped plan celebrations for his 200th birthday in February 2009.
Famous Places and Monuments
Many places across the United States are named after Abraham Lincoln. For example, the capital city of Nebraska is called Lincoln, Nebraska. The very first public statue honoring him was put up in 1868. It stands in front of the District of Columbia City Hall in Washington, D.C. This was just three years after his passing.
In 1876, a special memorial was dedicated in Lincoln Park. It was called the Emancipation Memorial. People who had gained their freedom paid for this statue. It honored Lincoln as the "Great Emancipator" for his role in ending slavery. Important figures like President Ulysses S. Grant attended the ceremony. Frederick Douglass, a famous speaker, gave a powerful speech.
The first national tribute to Lincoln was the Lincoln Highway. This historic road was the first one built for cars to cross the entire United States. It was dedicated in 1913. This was nine years before the famous Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., was finished in 1921.
You can find Lincoln's image and name in many other places. These include the grand Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. His face is also carved into Mount Rushmore. Other important sites are the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in Kentucky. The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Indiana shows where he grew up. Lincoln's New Salem and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Illinois also honor him. In Kentucky, the Lincoln Memorial at Waterfront Park has a large statue of Lincoln. It is surrounded by carvings that tell the story of slavery.
Ford's Theatre, where a sad event happened, is now a museum. The Petersen House, where he passed away, is also a museum. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois, is another important place. Lincoln's final resting place is the Lincoln Tomb in Springfield. His wife Mary and three of their sons are also buried there. Even Springfield's airport is named after him, the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.
Lincoln has even been honored at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" show at Disneyland is very popular. The "Hall of Presidents" at Walt Disney World also features him. These attractions were created because Walt Disney admired Lincoln greatly.
Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, was founded in 1897. It serves as a lasting tribute to President Lincoln. The university has a museum, the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum. It holds many items connected to Lincoln's life.
In Redlands, California, the Lincoln Memorial Shrine was built in 1932. It displays a sculpture of Lincoln by George Grey Barnard. This shrine is the only museum west of the Mississippi River focused entirely on Lincoln.
Protecting Lincoln's Legacy
Lincoln's tomb has a unique history. In 1876, some people tried to break into his tomb. They wanted to take his remains. However, they were stopped by law enforcement. After this event, Lincoln's coffin was moved several times. This was done to keep his resting place safe from any future attempts.
In 2017, a statue of Lincoln in West Englewood, Chicago, was damaged. It was later restored in 2018. The statue was then moved to the Chicago Public Library for safekeeping.
Lincoln on Money and Stamps
Lincoln's image quickly appeared on stamps around the world after his death. He is on many United States postage stamps. He is also the only U.S. president to be on a U.S. airmail stamp. More than 50 countries have used his picture on their stamps.
Lincoln was one of the few people to appear on U.S. paper money while still alive. His face has been on many different dollar bills. These include $1, $5, $10, $20, $100, and $500 notes. Today, he is most famous for being on the United States five-dollar bill. He is also on the Lincoln cent, the penny. This penny was the first U.S. coin to show a real person's image.
The famous artist Salvador Dalí even used Lincoln's image from the five-dollar bill. He created a unique artwork for the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976. This artwork was called "Gala looking at the Mediterranean Sea..." It was shown at The Guggenheim in New York.
Lincoln Around the World
Lincoln's influence reached far beyond the United States. The first statue of Lincoln outside America was put up in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1893. It honors Scottish immigrants who fought for the Union during the Civil War.
Another statue by George Grey Barnard was placed in Manchester, England, in 1919. It remembers how the American Civil War affected the cotton industry in Manchester. A large statue by Saint Gaudens was also unveiled in London in 1920. It stands near Westminster Abbey.
In 1964, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson gave a Saint Gaudens statue to the people of Mexico. It is now in Mexico City's Parque Lincoln. Another monument was unveiled in Tijuana, Mexico, in 1981.
Sculptures Across America
Many artists have created sculptures of Abraham Lincoln. These artworks help people remember his important life and work. Here are some examples of these statues:
- Abraham Lincoln, Lot Flannery, Washington, D.C. (1868)
- Statue of Abraham Lincoln, Henry Kirke Brown, Union Square, New York City (1870)
- Emancipation Memorial, Thomas Ball, Washington, D.C. (1876)
- Abraham Lincoln: The Man, also known as Standing Lincoln, Augustus Saint Gaudens, Chicago, Illinois (1887)
- Abraham Lincoln: The Head of State also known as Seated Lincoln, Augustus Saint Gaudens, Chicago, Illinois (1908)
- Standing Lincoln at the Nebraska State Capitol, Lincoln, Nebraska, Daniel Chester French (1912)
- Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial, Daniel Chester French (1914–22)
- Mount Rushmore, Gutzon Borglum (1927–1941)
- Emancipation Proclamation, Nebraska State Capitol, Lee Lawrie, Lincoln, Nebraska (1932)
- Abraham Lincoln: The Hoosier Youth, Paul Manship, Fort Wayne, Indiana (1932)
- Young Lincoln by Charles Keck, Senn Park, Chicago (1945)
- The Chicago Lincoln, also known as Beardless Lincoln, Avard Fairbanks, Chicago, Illinois (1956)
- Young Abe Lincoln, David K. Rubins, Indianapolis, Indiana (1962)
