ABA to celebrate Lincoln at Chicago meeting in ’09

The bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln will be commemorated in 2009 during the American Bar Association annual meeting in Chicago in August, and the midyear meeting in Boston in February.
The Illinois delegation met during the recent annual meeting to discuss a number of ideas, according to state delegate Robert A. Clifford of Chicago.
Suggestions include a traveling exhibit, educational materials for schools, and a reception at the Chicago History Museum.
John P. Ratnaswamy of Foley & Lardner in Chicago heads the effort for Lincoln-related activities in both cities that will include a program on Lincoln as well as a resolution to highlight the 16th president in a special way.
In addition to educating the public in 2009 about Lincoln’s legacy, programs also would explain the role of lawyers and the legal system.
The ABA will work with federal and state Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commissions, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield.   
The ABA also is considering a proposal from the Springfield museum to sponsor an exhibit of valuable Lincoln memorabilia.
Contact Ratnaswamy with ideas or interest in helping  mailto:JRatnaswamy@foley.com.
For information about the 16th president, visit http://access.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Stories/Lincoln/.

Milestones in 2008

Several significant dates in the life of Abraham Lincoln will be observed during the coming year. Among them are:
Jan. 15 – The 175th anniversary of Lincoln’s purchase, with William F. Berry, from William Greene in 1833 of the New Salem store that was once owned by Reuben Bradford.
May 7 – The 175th anniversary of Lincoln’s 1833 appointment as postmaster in New Salem. Also the 150th anniversary of his use of an almanac to clear Duff Armstrong of a murder charge in 1858 in the Cass County Court at Beardstown.
June 16 – The 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s controversial “House Divided” speech during the 1858 Republican State Convention in Springfield.
Aug. 21 – The 150th anniversary of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate in 1858 in Ottawa, during a Senate election campaign. Other debates were held Aug. 27 in Freeport, Sept. 15 in Jonesboro, Sept. 18 in Charleston, Oct. 7 in Galesburg, Oct. 13 in Quincy, and Oct. 15 in Alton.
Nov. 2 – The 150th anniversary of the 1858 Senate election in which Lincoln received a majority of the votes but lost to Douglas because legislative districts were gerrymandered.
Nov. 19 – The 145th anniversary of Lincoln’s speech in 1863 at the dedication of the National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pa.

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