It’s the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. In this “Land of Lincoln” we should be proud of our honest leader. That quality itself is something hard to find in Illinois politics. In honor of Abe’s b-day, I’d like to share a story. No, it’s not about when I went to see Lincoln’s tomb, or the Lincoln log cabin, or the bronze bust in Lincoln hall, or the time we left my little brother in Ford’s theatre. I am going to tell you about something that happened way back in 1862.
In 1862, Lincoln signed the College Land Grant Act. For those of you who don’t know, this legislature became the initial funding for the University of Illinois.
I hope that one day the University of Illinois is recognized as Mr. Lincoln’s University (just as the University of Pennsylvania is known as Mr. Franklin’ University and the University of Virginia is known as Mr. Jefferson’s University). Land-grant colleges were called people’s colleges or farmers’ colleges, and they were also known as democracy’s colleges, a title I love and one that describes what the University of Illinois is all about. - Dr. Vernon Burton, a professor emeritus of history, sociology, and African American studies at U of I and is the author of Age of Lincoln.
It’s important to understand history and to know that President Abraham Lincoln was an important player in the creation of the U of I. Lincoln once said about the state of Illinois: ” To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything.”
There are a number of bi-centennial celebrations all across the country. A large celebration will take place in Illinois’ capital city, Springfield that includes a speech by President Obama. Check out the following links for event calendars and fun resources about the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln Remembered – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Lincoln – Illinois Bicentennial Commission
Lincoln Bicentennial – Library of Congress
