A little reason to celebrate
Lincoln's Birthday
History · Commemorative · February 12
Lincoln's Birthday honors Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth US president, with a look at his life, his words and the places that remember him.
Lincoln's Birthday falls on Friday, February 12, 2027. That is 108 days away.
Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president of the United States, and this day marks his birth. He led the country through the Civil War, and his speeches are still read aloud in classrooms and at public gatherings.
His early life is the part people tend to remember first. He was born in a log cabin in Kentucky, grew up on the frontier, and taught himself much of what he knew by reading borrowed books. Later he worked as a lawyer in Illinois before entering politics.
The words he left behind do a lot of the remembering. The Gettysburg Address is short enough to read in a couple of minutes, which may be why so many people know its opening line. His second inaugural address is longer and quieter, and it rewards a slow read.
The day is marked in modest ways. Some people visit the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., or the sites connected to him in Illinois and Kentucky. Others read one of his speeches, pick up a biography, or look at the familiar profile on the penny with fresh eyes. Schools and libraries often put out displays of his photographs, which show a tall man who looked older in each portrait as the war went on.
He was famously tall, and his stovepipe hat made him look taller still. He reportedly tucked letters and notes inside it.
Ways to celebrate
- Read the Gettysburg Address aloud, slowly.
- Borrow a Lincoln biography from your local library.
- Look closely at the portrait on a penny or five dollar bill.
- Visit a local monument, statue or school named for Lincoln.
- Compare photographs of Lincoln taken early and late in his presidency.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, February 12 |
| 2027 | Friday, February 12 |
| 2028 | Saturday, February 12 |
| 2029 | Monday, February 12 |
| 2030 | Tuesday, February 12 |
All national days on February 12
Also on February 12
Categories: History daysCommemorative days