Remembering Abraham Lincoln

President Lincoln's 1865 assassination produced an immediate outpouring of grief. His death linked him with the hundreds of thousands of Union soldiers who had sacrificed their lives during the Civil War. He also became a symbol of the ideal democratic American who, from humble beginnings, could make something of himself. The imagery on this hooked rug reinforces this notion.

During the late 19th century, no one would have equated Abraham Lincoln with the most esteemed American of all time, George Washington. Opinions about President Lincoln were too divisive. But the more Lincoln was paired with Washington, the stronger his reputation grew until, by the early 20th century, Lincoln--"man of the people"--eclipsed the more aristocratic Washington in popularity.

This poster depicts three leading Americans who advanced African-American life at the turn of the 20th century. Frederick Douglass challenged slavery and worked for its abolition. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to preserve the Union by declaring freedom to slaves in rebel states. Booker T. Washington, leader of the Tuskegee Institute, promoted African-American rights through education and industry.

On February 12, 1909, virtually the entire nation turned out to honor Abraham Lincoln on the 100th anniversary of his birth. In city after city, Americans put aside their regional differences and sought national unity by venerating Lincoln as a "man of the people." Postcards abounded as popular keepsakes, including this German-imported embossed example.

In 1912, Carl Fisher, an automobile headlight entrepreneur, had the ambitious idea to create the first transcontinental highway. His biggest advocate was Henry Joy, Packard Motor Car Company president. Joy suggested naming the road after Abraham Lincoln, for patriotic appeal and the symbolic connection with Lincoln's role preserving the Union. In this book, Gladding relates her cross-country travels.

During the First World War, Abraham Lincoln's reputation extended to the international arena. For, who could more perfectly symbolize the international fight for freedom--the fight to make the world safe for democracy--than America's own Abraham Lincoln? Excerpts of his most stirring speeches were revived on posters, encouraging Americans to "Buy Liberty Bonds" and "Save Food for World Relief."

During the First World War, Abraham Lincoln's reputation extended to the international arena. For, who could more perfectly symbolize the international fight for freedom--the fight to make the world safe for democracy--than America's own Abraham Lincoln? Excerpts of his most stirring speeches were revived on posters, encouraging Americans to "Buy Liberty Bonds" and "Save Food for World Relief."

During World War I, Abraham Lincoln's image was revived as a symbol of wisdom, courage, and sacrifice both at home and abroad. Posters like this were certainly propaganda but they succeeded in motivating the American public to support the war effort. African Americans' loyalty to Lincoln inspired thousands to enlist and bravely serve their country--though largely in segregated units.

During the 1909 centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, Congress found itself in the embarrassing position of lacking plans to honor Lincoln in the nation's capital. In 1911, a Commission was formed to create an appropriate tribute. The resulting Lincoln Memorial, dedicated in 1922, idealizes Lincoln's memory in a Greek-temple-like structure that symbolizes the democratic principles for which Lincoln stood.

Henry Ford admired Lincoln's character and collected many Lincoln-related artifacts, including the Logan County, Illinois, courthouse in which Lincoln practiced law in the 1840s. Here, Mr. Ford stands outside the courthouse with Lincoln portrayer Charles Roscoe Miles. Miles was a distant relative of Lincoln's and used his resemblance to the president to support himself during the Great Depression.

Abraham Lincoln remained a powerful source of inspiration to African Americans through the early 20th century, as they struggled to realize the promise of emancipation. Lincoln's image looms large in this poster for a nine-day Exposition, which celebrated both past achievements and "new horizons of advancement." In reality, white resistance continued to hamper attempts to further African Americans' progress.

The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. led a non-violent campaign for civil rights. His leadership during the turbulent 1950s and 1960s urged on legislative and social change. This button -- created after King's assassination in 1968 -- commemorates his efforts to secure freedom and justice for African Americans.

By the early 20th century, the real Abraham Lincoln had long since faded from people's memory. A new generation of Americans had come of age who only knew the stories, the myths, the legends. This generation transformed Lincoln the man into Lincoln the hero. This first memorial to Lincoln, enshrining his birthplace in Hodgenville, Kentucky, was dedicated in 1911.

In 1911, Congress formed a Commission to create an appropriate tribute to Abraham Lincoln in the nation's capital. The commissioners determined that this tribute should be a symbolic rather than literal representation. Sculptor Daniel Chester French's statue idealized Lincoln's memory by revealing his "essential nobility." After delays in completing the statue, the Lincoln Memorial was finally dedicated in 1922.

One of the most famous sculptures of President Lincoln is Augustus Saint-Gaudens' "Standing Lincoln." This is a bronze "reduction" (meaning a copy on a smaller scale) of that famous 1887 sculpture. Saint-Gaudens depicts Lincoln in deep thought standing in front of a ceremonial "Chair of State." The original 11 1/2 foot bronze can be found in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois.

Having assumed the presidency when McKinley was assassinated in 1901, Theodore Roosevelt was already immensely popular when he ran for president in 1904. Picking conservative Senator Charles W. Fairbanks as his running mate, Roosevelt was reelected in a landslide. Two previous highly esteemed Republicans--John C. Fremont (first Republican presidential candidate) and Abraham Lincoln--are also depicted on this button.

John Lloyd Wright, son of famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, invented Lincoln Logs in 1916. Playskool has been an important manufacturer of durable, educational toys for young children since its founding in 1928 as the Playskool Institute.