Land of Lincoln

Today is the birthday of Abraham Lincoln.  While born in Kentucky, he rose to prominence in Illinois, where he moved with his family around the age of 20, which is why he is #5 on my Illinois 200 list.  In fact, in 1955, Congress granted Illinois exclusive copyright use of the slogan "Land of Lincoln"--#6 on my list.

Illinois even has a city named Lincoln (#7), which got its name before he became president, and he christened the city using juice from a watermelon.

Illinois is full of places related to Abraham Lincoln, most especially in Springfield (#8), the state capital city, where he lived for almost a quarter century before heading to Washington, D.C., to serve as the President of the United States, departing from the old Great Western Railroad Depot, now a tourist stop known as the Lincoln Depot (#9).  One of the most notable attractions is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (#10), with many great exhibits and other resources, like recreated scenes of his birth cabin and the front of the White House.  I was privileged to visit the museum just months after its opening on April 19, 2005.  The exhibits point out the places where certain events happened, noting their distance from the museum, some of which are just blocks away:  For example, visitors can see the Herndon-Lincoln Law Office (#11) where he practiced.  The law office is right by the Old Illinois State Capitol (#12), where he gave his "House Divided" speech.  Barack Obama used it as the backdrop for the speech announcing his candidacy for the Presidency of the United States on February 10, 2007 (#13).

Also in Springfield is the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, where people can tour the only home (#14) Abraham Lincoln ever owned, and where he and his family lived while in Springfield.  Neighboring homes are also preserved in 19th-Century style (#15).

Mr. Lincoln's final resting place is at a prominent grave in Oak Ridge Cemetery (#16).

At the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, people can see the original Lincoln family pew (#17), which was in another church building where the Lincoln family attended services.

Not too far from Springfield is New Salem State Historic Site (#18), which is a reconstruction of a town where Mr. Lincoln lived as a young adult, which I had the chance to visit as a child on a family vacation.

Before running for the Presidency, Mr. Lincoln ran for the position of U.S. Senator from Illinois against Stephen A. Douglas (#19) in 1858.  They had a series of 7 debates in Ottawa on August 21 (#20), Freeport on August 27 (#21), Jonesboro on September 15 (#22), Charleston on September 18 (#23), Galesburg on October 7 (#24), Quincy on October 13 (#25), and Alton on October 15 (#26).  There was one debate in each of the 7 Congressional districts Illinois had at the time.

In 1860, the newly-formed Republican Party held its second convention in Chicago, at the Wigwam, a large meeting hall space (#27).  There, they nominated Abraham Lincoln as its party's candidate for president.  The Wigwam burned down in the Great Chicago Fire (#28), but a plaque marks the spot of its location near Lake Street and Upper Wacker Drive.

Perhaps today is a good day for us Illinoisans to "rally 'round flag...shouting the battle cry of freedom!" as we salute Illinois's famous son.