ALBC National Events – February 12, 2009

Across the nation – and around the world – people came together to celebrate the life and legacy of the nation’s 16th president.

In Washington, DC, against a backdrop of cloudless azure skies, the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission led a series of flawless events. Participants included President Obama, the U.S. House and Senate, the U.S. military, nationally acclaimed poets Maya Angelou and Nikki Giovanni, and Grammy-nominated singer Michael Feinstein. The Library of Congress, National Park Service, National Archives, History Channel, military hereditary societies and Civil War re-enactors, and school children from around the country and in nine foreign nations also participated.

Bakeries from across the metropolitan region donated exquisite log-cabin birthday cakes for a wind-whipped birthday breakfast near the Lincoln Memorial.

The ALBC’s media partner – C-SPAN – captured the sun-drenched ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial and the stately congressional tribute in the soaring Rotunda of the United States Capitol. Those unable to participate in the ceremonies in person or to watch them on television as they unfolded have an opportunity to see them again on C-SPAN’s Web site.

Relive the sights and sounds of the festive day! Click below for photos and more details from the day’s celebrations. Photos are courtesy of Hank Ballone, Ven Suresh and David Early.

Birthday Tribute and Wreath-Laying Ceremony
Abraham Lincoln Memorial
8:00 AM

National Birthday Breakfast Tribute
Washington, DC National Mall
9:00 AM

Bicameral Celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday:  A Congressional Tribute
U.S. Capitol Rotunda
11:30 AM

National Teach-In
National Archives and Records Administration
1:30 PM

“With Malice Toward None:  The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibit”
Library of Congress
2:00 PM

Photo Courtesy of Hank Ballone.