February 12, 2009, will mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, considered by both historians and ordinary Americans to have been the greatest American president. Though nearly 140 years have passed since his tragic death, Lincoln remains the central figure in American history. The solemn words engraved in his memorial remain true: “In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.”
Abraham Lincoln rose from poverty to the heights of political success, but his ambition inspired him to do far more than merely hold office. Lincoln assumed the presidency during the worst crisis in American history, and successfully led his fractured country to reunion and “a new birth of freedom.”
The war that engulfed the United States in 1861 had been brewing for decades, and threatened to extinguish the light of democracy in the world. The American political system was still a fragile experiment, viewed with distaste and skepticism by many in Europe and beyond. Lincoln knew that democracy would be forever discredited if a disaffected minority, having lost a political battle, could simply withdraw from the process entirely. His faith in representative government, and his realistic appraisal of human nature, allowed him not merely to save the Union but create a nation.
And yet, Lincoln wished not only to save his country, but also to make it, in his words, “worthy of the saving,” a place where all would have the right to rise. On January 1, 1863, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, setting in motion a legal process that would destroy American slavery forever. This noble act, controversial both then and now, committed the United States to the long, difficult struggle for racial justice. The Commission wishes to highlight the role of Lincoln in ending slavery, and encourage a profound and substantive discussion of his legacy to a country still troubled by matters of race.
At the close of his first Annual Message to Congress, on December 3, 1861, by which time the Union had been torn asunder, Lincoln wrote, “The struggle of today, is not altogether for today—it is for a vast future also.”
As he predicted, the reverberations of the Civil War and the struggle for human rights persist today. The Commission believes that Lincoln’s legacy is as vital now as it ever was, and wishes to share that legacy with new generations of Americans and citizens of the world.
The proposals contained in this report were developed in committees, fashioned after careful discussion and debate, and reflect the opinions of the Commission as a whole. However, this report is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all potential bicentennial activities. The Commission fully expects that new ideas will continue to be conceived and implemented between now and 2009.
Finally, the Commission wishes to express its gratitude to the Congress of the United States for having the wisdom and foresight to commemorate the birth of President Lincoln in so fitting a manner. Commissioners and staff members are conscious of their solemn duties: to educate the public about Lincoln, to encourage discussion about the issues with which he grappled and we still struggle, and to plan a tribute worthy of its subject.
To read the full report click here.
