List of memorials to Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, is one of the most remembered leaders in American history. Along with George Washington, he stands as a symbol of American democracy and American nationalism. Many places across the United States have been named after him, and there are numerous memorials built in his honor. These memorials help us remember his important role in the country's history and the values he stood for.

The list of memorials to Abraham Lincoln shows how much people appreciate his work and the way he led the nation during difficult times. These memorials can be found in towns, cities, and counties, each telling a part of his story and legacy. Learning about these memorials gives us a better understanding of Lincoln's impact on the United States and why he remains an important figure today.

Changing image

Barry Schwartz, a sociologist, studied how people remember important figures in American history. He noted that in the 1930s and 1940s, Abraham Lincoln was seen as almost holy, a symbol that helped guide the nation. During tough times like the Great Depression and World War II, people looked to Lincoln’s words for strength.

However, Schwartz observed that after World War II, Lincoln’s symbolic importance began to fade. He suggested that as American society became more diverse and equal, traditional symbols like Lincoln lost some of their power. Even though Lincoln is still highly respected, visits to places connected with him, such as the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., have decreased over the years.

Organizations

The oldest group in the United States that honors Abraham Lincoln is the Lincoln Association of Jersey City in Jersey City, New Jersey. It was formed in 1865, just after Lincoln's assassination. Every year on February 12, Lincoln’s birthday, the group holds a special dinner in Jersey City. Over the years, many important people, such as political leaders, teachers, and civil rights heroes, have spoken at these events. In 2015, the association celebrated its 150th anniversary by placing a wreath at the entrance of Jersey City’s Lincoln Park. At one of their dinners, Todd Brewster, who wrote a book called Lincoln's Gamble, spoke about Lincoln’s efforts to create the Emancipation Proclamation.

Memorials

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, is remembered in many places. One example is the capital of Nebraska, which was named in 1867. The first public statue of Lincoln was placed in front of the District of Columbia City Hall in 1868, just three years after his death.

Many important places honor Lincoln. These include the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., his sculpture on Mount Rushmore, and sites like his birthplace in Kentucky and his home in Illinois. There are also museums, such as the one at Ford's Theatre where he passed away, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield. His tomb in Springfield holds his remains along with those of his wife and some of his sons. There are even exhibits about him at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Stamps, currency and coins

After Abraham Lincoln passed away, his picture quickly appeared on stamps around the world. He is the only U.S. president shown on a U.S. airmail stamp and has been featured on stamps in over 50 countries.

Lincoln was one of only five people ever to appear on U.S. paper money while they were still alive. His face can be found on many different bills, including the modern five-dollar bill. He is also famous for being on the Lincoln cent, the first U.S. coin to show a real person.

International

The first statue of Abraham Lincoln outside the United States was put up in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1893. It honors Scots immigrants who joined the Union during the Civil War and is the only Civil War memorial outside the United States. Another statue was placed in Manchester, England in 1919, remembering how the Civil War affected the cotton cloth-making area of Manchester and Lancashire. A large standing statue of Lincoln was shown near Westminster Abbey in London on July 28, 1920, during a special event. In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson gave a statue to the people of Mexico, displayed in Mexico City’s Parque Lincoln. In Tijuana, a monument was unveiled in 1981, and a statue of Lincoln’s friend, President Benito Juarez, was shown in nearby San Diego.

Birthday

Abraham Lincoln's birthday on February 12 was celebrated in many states, though it was never a national holiday. In 1971, Presidents Day was created to honor both Lincoln and Washington as a national holiday. The Abraham Lincoln Association began in 1908 to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. Later, in 2000, Congress formed the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission to celebrate his 200th birthday in February 2009.

Sculpture in the United States

See also: List of statues of Abraham Lincoln

Many statues and sculptures of Abraham Lincoln have been made across the United States. These include a relief on the Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Detroit, Michigan, a statue by Lot Flannery in Washington, D.C., and a well-known statue in Union Square, New York City by Henry Kirke Brown. Other notable examples are found in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York, the United States Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C., and the Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, Illinois.

There are many more statues and memorials, including one at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and another at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. These statues help us remember Lincoln’s important role in American history.