Kentucky to Honor Abraham Lincoln's 200th Birthday with a 1 Million Dollar Celebration

On February 12, 1809, near Hodgenville, Kentucky, our sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln, drew his first breath. One hundred and ninety-eight years later, on February 12, 2007 at The Capitol Rotunda, a celebration marking Lincoln's 198^th birthday, allowed Kentuckians to keep the memory and the spirited ideas of Abraham Lincoln alive.

The highlight of the celebration included an award of thirty grants, totaling one million dollars, to help Kentuckians prepare for the bicentennial celebration of Lincoln's birth in 2009. Awards were granted by Governor Fletcher to communities and historical and arts organizations.

"From the Sinking Spring Farm to the homestead at Knob Creek to the White House, Lincoln's life is woven into our history," said Governor Fletcher. "These grants will help our communities, organizations and museums tell the world about the critical role Kentucky and Kentuckians played in the life and career of Abraham Lincoln."

As the son of a Kentucky frontiersman, Lincoln spoke many times of his upbringing. Prior to his nomination for President, he gave a brief outline of his life in Kentucky.

"I was born Feb. 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky. My parents were both born in Virginia, of undistinguished families--second families, perhaps I should say. My mother, who died in my tenth year, was of a family of the name of Hanks.... My father ... removed from Kentucky to ... Indiana, in my eighth year.... It was a wild region, with many bears and other wild animals still in the woods. There I grew up.... Of course when I came of age I did not know much. Still somehow, I could read, write, and cipher ... but that was all."

Lincoln made extraordinary efforts to improve his education, but he never forgot his roots-a firm reason why Kentuckians continue to morn his death and celebrate his achievements in life.

The national Lincoln Bicentennial observance will begin on February 12, 2008 at Lincoln's birthplace and continue through 2009.

The Kentucky grants will be used to support a variety of themes related to Lincoln and Kentucky, including slavery, nineteenth-century political culture, the Civil War and Lincoln's legacy. Projects include educational programs, exhibits, public art, community celebrations, speakers, classroom tools and more.

"These programs will help us rekindle the timely and timeless message of Lincoln: 'With malice toward none, with charity for all,'" said Sen. Dan Kelly (R-Springfield).

Grants are available to museums, historical organizations, educational institutions, city and county governments and other nonprofit organizations.

More information about Kentucky's role in the Lincoln Bicentennial celebration can be found at www.kylincoln.org.