In Memory of Lincoln
Lincoln’s tragic death made him an instant hero in the North but he remained a despised figure in the South until the Civil War generation began passing away in the late nineteenth century. During this time, Lincoln began to emerge as a symbol of national unity, a phenomenon that coincided with the rise of the United States as a global power.
Often lost in the process were issues related to matters of race and equal citizenship rights for African Americans. The years leading up to the centennial of Lincoln’s birth in 1909 fanned widespread interest, launching scores of celebrations and projects. Two of the most significant events were the issuance of the Lincoln penny and the creation of the Lincoln Birthplace Memorial in Kentucky, considered a place of national reconciliation between the North and South. In addition, civic leaders, educators, and social reformers across the country found in Lincoln a worthy role model for American youth, particularly those of immigrant parents who were considered lacking in knowledge about the nation’s past. Lincoln’s image as a humble, hard-working and, above all, honest man of the people reached its fullest expression during the centennial period and remained firmly entrenched in the national psyche for many generations.