The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Presidents Day Is To Remember Our Presidents

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

The third Monday every February is the legal holiday our legislators selected in 1968 to celebrate the birthdays of our country's first president George Washington, and 16th President Abraham Lincoln.

Washington was born on February 22, 1732, and Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809.

But, besides knowing their birth dates, I'm afraid that too many of us let the history of this holiday go by unnoticed.

Few stop and discuss the importance of "Presidents Day" and "the father of our country" Washington, and "The Emmancipator" Lincoln? Hopefully, you do, and also add many of the other great presidents who have helped shape our nation.

In Illinois, we could add our 18th President- Ulysses S. Grant who lived many of his married years in Galena, and our 40th President Ronald Reagan, who grew up in Dixon, and attended Eureka College. Reagan's 104th birthday was also in February on the 6th.

If you haven't taken time, visit the Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield. It's a grand way to celebrate the holiday rather than just getting the day off. This year is significant because it is the 150th Anniversary of when Lincoln died.

He was shot on April 14, 1865 by southern sympathizer John Wilkes Booth. He died the next morning. His funeral train that traveled with Lincoln's body from Baltimore, MD to Springfield, IL had drawn crowds of mourners. He laid at rest in the Old State Capitol until the funeral where many came to pay their respects.

According to the information at lincolnfuneraltrain.org

"For the first time since 1865, thousands of re-enactors, period carriages, visitors and dignitaries will, on May 1-3, 2015, convene in Springfield, IL, to pay tribute to our 16th President with superb events and, the unparalleled historic and solemn re-creation of the funeral procession to Oak Ridge Cemetery.

"(Although May 4, 2015 is the official anniversary date of President Lincoln's burial, the above dates were selected to preclude weekday business disruption.)"

Larry Werline, who reenacts General Grant and visited our schools last year is on the committee and as spokesperson for a group of men who reenact as Generals of the Civil War, said all of them will be taking part in the funeral train as it travels from Lincoln to Springfield.

There are a lot of important history surrounding each of our U.S. Presidents, but this year and in Illinois, the stories of Lincoln at the museum is a must-see. Check the web at www.alplm.org. for details of exhibits and events at the library.