Lincoln's Connection to Idaho - Part 2

While doing research for Abraham Lincoln's bicentennial a couple weeks ago, I found out that he had many influences upon my home state of Idaho that I was not aware of. When we think about Lincoln, the states most associated with him are Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. These are the places where he was born, grew up, and practiced law. Most people never think that Lincoln had a significant influence on any other states. Yet my research proved Lincoln had a large impact on several Western states, including Idaho.

According to the Idaho Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, Lincoln has several connections to Idaho:

• In 1849, Lincoln was offered the Governorship of the Oregon Territory which included the land of what later became Idaho.
• Lincoln signed the bill in 1863 that created the Idaho Territory and attended the meeting in which the name "Idaho" was selected.
• The first territorial officers for the Idaho Territory were appointed by Lincoln.
  
• Lincoln mentioned the Idaho Territory in messages to Congress in 1863 and 1864.
  
• On April 14, 1865, Lincoln met with the delegate from the Idaho Territory, William H. Wallace, about filling a position on the Idaho Supreme Court. Wallace turned down an invitation from Lincoln to join him at Ford's Theater that night.

Also, Boise, Idaho is the home of the oldest public statue of Lincoln in the Western United States. On the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, which was on February 12, the city of Boise celebrated this event by unveiling this life size statue near the state Capitol. The statue is pictured above.

Lincoln had a significant influence on several states, not just on Idaho or on those we normally associate with him. It just goes to show that Lincoln had a large impact on the country as a whole and that his life is an important part of our national story!

Links to Learn More:

• Lincoln and Idaho
• "Western States Remembering Abe Lincoln, Too" - Yahoo! News
  

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The Legacy of Abraham Lincoln - Part 1

This is part one of a two-part series celebrating the life of Abraham Lincoln. Part two will focus on the connections between Abraham Lincoln and my home state of Idaho.

Coming up in just a couple of days on this Thursday, February 12, the country will be celebrating the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. A multitude of events are taking place across the country to remember him. With all the celebrations and activities going on, I have been pondering a difficult question. What is it about Abraham Lincoln that has captured the curiosity and imagination of so many people?

I listened to a broadcast this last weekend from NPR that gave a birthday tribute to Lincoln that talked about a few aspects of his life we admire. We celebrate this man today who was born in a log cabin and yet became the president that led the country through the Civil War. However, in 1861, Lincoln won less than half of the vote to get elected president. In his own time, Abraham Lincoln was widely mocked and became the butt of many jokes. Even some of his own generals, like George B. McClellan, criticized him.

Maybe the answer to this question lies somewhat in how Lincoln died. The program mentioned that a part of Lincoln's legacy is the tragedy of his assassination. Lincoln became a martyr for the cause that he lived for. I believe that had he lived, Lincoln would have done much to heal the scars of the war. Yet we will never know because, as the broadcast stated, Lincoln ultimately became a casualty of the war itself, another "costly sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."

Abraham Lincoln has always been one of my favorite people from U.S. history. For me, my fascination lies in the fact that Lincoln became a extraordinary person in American history because he faced incredible opposition and burdens during his time as President. If I could pick one historical figure to meet, it would be him. Even after 200 years since this birth, Lincoln's influence on America and his legacy in history has remained.

Links to Learn More:

• A Birthday Tribute to Abraham Lincoln - NPR Broadcast
• Lincoln Bicentennial | 1809 - 2009
  

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