President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday or Lincoln’s Birthday is celebrated as a federal holiday in some states of the US on February 12th every year.
It is customary to celebrate and honor him on his birthday. Various public events, including re-enactments, concerts, and birthday parties are often staged on this day to honor the nation’s 16th president who is known as the Great Emancipator.
A ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC is held annually on February 12th, during which a wreath is laid, and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is read aloud.
Large-scale events are organized by the Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, the Kentucky Lincoln Heritage Trail, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
The Republican Party also holds dinners on Lincoln’s Birthday to honor his presidency and as the first president of their party.
In 6 states, Lincoln’s Birthday is a day off for the general population and all schools are closed.
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most popular U.S. presidents and many people celebrate his birthday unofficially as part of Presidents’ Day which falls on February 18.
After Lincoln’s death, there were efforts to secure a federal holiday in his honor. But those efforts never succeeded.
Who was Abraham Lincoln?
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865 and is widely regarded as one of America’s greatest presidents.
Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Kentucky with a modest background and origins.
He acquired his education while working a variety of odd jobs, including those of a woodcutter, soldier, store clerk, boatman, surveyor, and lawyer, before becoming a congressman. and entering the political arena.
Lincoln’s political career began when he became a member of the Illinois state legislature from Sangamon County.
Eventually, he was elected as the president of the United States in 1861, representing the Republican Party. In the same year, the American Civil War broke out. Lincoln served as commander-in-chief of Union forces until he was assassinated in 1865.
During this period, the President issued an Emancipation Proclamation that made slavery illegal in all states of the former Confederacy. The Union won the Civil War in 1865, and with that came the abolition of slavery throughout the United States. Lincoln also made efforts to bring together again the former Confederate states into a unified whole with all other states.
However, before Lincoln’s plans came into effect, he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, who shot the president while he was attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC on 14th April 1865 only a few weeks after the war ended. Lincoln died the very next morning that is on 15th April 1865.
What is the significance of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday?
Abraham Lincoln left quite a legacy as the president who led America through its bloodiest war in history, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, abolished the practice of enslavement, initiated many civil rights, and died serving his country.
The Lincoln Memorial, which stands across from the Washington Monument in the nation’s capital, testifies to this legacy. Therefore, it is only fitting that we celebrate his birthday by remembering all of the great things he accomplished during his lifetime—not only as one of America’s greatest presidents but also as a world leader.
Abraham Lincoln’s Quotes
President Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves, preserved the Union, and ended slavery during his lifetime. In honor of his 214th birthday on February 12th, here are 10 quotes from America’s 16th president:
“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
“My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
“Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren’t very new after all.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
“Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
“There are no bad pictures; that’s just how your face looks sometimes.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
“If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?”
~ Abraham Lincoln
“I would rather be a little nobody than be an evil somebody.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
Conclusion
Abraham Lincoln’s presidency and his actions in office are worthy of remembrance, both for his actions during the Civil War as well as for his role in ending slavery in the United States. On Abraham Lincoln’s 214th birthday, we should honor his memory by trying to remember what he did for our country and striving to do something great ourselves.
Read Also : International Mother Language Day: 21st Fabruary
