Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:04 pm
Growing up in NY, we always celebrated Abe Lincoln's birthday seperate from the present President's Day. Here is some interesting information about him.
Frequently Asked Questions
about Lincoln's Speeches and Writings
Where can I read the letter written to a widow who lost four sons in the Civil War?
This is the so-called "Bixby Letter" of Saving Private Ryan fame. Click here for the full text.
I think I have the original Bixby letter. How much is it worth?
The original was destroyed by Mrs. Bixby, a Confederate sympathizer who resented President Lincoln. What you probably have is a copy of an early forgery -- it may be an old paper, but it is not valued by collectors.
There's a story or quote I think Lincoln said. How do I find the source?
This can be difficult to determine. If the quote was from conversation, you have to weigh the reliability of the source, and even historians don't agree on sources. The safest ground is Lincoln's own speeches and writings, found in the The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Roy Basler and published by the Abraham Lincoln Association (a multi-volume set of books), or short one-volume versions also by Basler. A small selection of speeches and writings are on this web site, which are searchable. We've added a quotes page and Quote of the Week page to help you.
Where can I learn the value of an old Lincoln document?
If you have possible Lincoln document you want appraised or sold, contact a dealer in rare/used books or Lincolniana. You can visit an online buy-and-sell service at The Railsplitter. Also see the dealers listed under Lincoln Bookstores. Or, you can email Kent Tucker of Illinois, an appraiser of Lincolniana. To look up all sorts of Lincoln collectibles, consult Collecting Lincoln With Values by Stuart Schneider (Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Co., Ltd, 1997). This book is available in public libraries and through Inter-Library Loan.
Did Lincoln write the Gettysburg Address on the back of an envelope?
No. Lincoln prepared his speeches with great care. There are several original copies of the speech, none of which appear on envelopes. You can read the Gettysburg Address and see helpful links on this web site.
Where can I see the text of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates?
You can read the complete speeches in the The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. There are also debate titles on our book page.
Did Lincoln say something about "the better angels of our nature?"
Yes. That expression is found at the end of Lincoln's First Inaugural Address given on March 4, 1861.
Which Lincoln writings are inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.?
Carved into the walls are Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address.
Did Lincoln write a letter to a girl who asked him to grow a beard?
Yes. He wrote a reply to Grace Bedell of Westfield, New York, who suggested he grow a beard to get elected.
Where can I see poetry that Lincoln wrote?
We have a page of poems Lincoln wrote in the 1840s.
How can I see the proclamation Lincoln issued about Thanksgiving Day?
Lincoln signed a proclamation on October 3, 1863, which set the precedent for the national Thanksgiving Day celebrated today.
Frequently Asked Questions
about Lincoln's Speeches and Writings
Where can I read the letter written to a widow who lost four sons in the Civil War?
This is the so-called "Bixby Letter" of Saving Private Ryan fame. Click here for the full text.
I think I have the original Bixby letter. How much is it worth?
The original was destroyed by Mrs. Bixby, a Confederate sympathizer who resented President Lincoln. What you probably have is a copy of an early forgery -- it may be an old paper, but it is not valued by collectors.
There's a story or quote I think Lincoln said. How do I find the source?
This can be difficult to determine. If the quote was from conversation, you have to weigh the reliability of the source, and even historians don't agree on sources. The safest ground is Lincoln's own speeches and writings, found in the The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Roy Basler and published by the Abraham Lincoln Association (a multi-volume set of books), or short one-volume versions also by Basler. A small selection of speeches and writings are on this web site, which are searchable. We've added a quotes page and Quote of the Week page to help you.
Where can I learn the value of an old Lincoln document?
If you have possible Lincoln document you want appraised or sold, contact a dealer in rare/used books or Lincolniana. You can visit an online buy-and-sell service at The Railsplitter. Also see the dealers listed under Lincoln Bookstores. Or, you can email Kent Tucker of Illinois, an appraiser of Lincolniana. To look up all sorts of Lincoln collectibles, consult Collecting Lincoln With Values by Stuart Schneider (Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Co., Ltd, 1997). This book is available in public libraries and through Inter-Library Loan.
Did Lincoln write the Gettysburg Address on the back of an envelope?
No. Lincoln prepared his speeches with great care. There are several original copies of the speech, none of which appear on envelopes. You can read the Gettysburg Address and see helpful links on this web site.
Where can I see the text of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates?
You can read the complete speeches in the The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. There are also debate titles on our book page.
Did Lincoln say something about "the better angels of our nature?"
Yes. That expression is found at the end of Lincoln's First Inaugural Address given on March 4, 1861.
Which Lincoln writings are inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.?
Carved into the walls are Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address.
Did Lincoln write a letter to a girl who asked him to grow a beard?
Yes. He wrote a reply to Grace Bedell of Westfield, New York, who suggested he grow a beard to get elected.
Where can I see poetry that Lincoln wrote?
We have a page of poems Lincoln wrote in the 1840s.
How can I see the proclamation Lincoln issued about Thanksgiving Day?
Lincoln signed a proclamation on October 3, 1863, which set the precedent for the national Thanksgiving Day celebrated today.