- Lincoln's Birthday
Infobox Holiday
holiday_name=Lincoln's Birthday
caption=Abraham Lincoln
official_name=Birthday of President Abraham Lincoln
nickname=Lincoln's Birthday
observedby=Illinois and various U.S. states
date=February 12
type=Local
significance=Honors 16th President of the United States
relatedto=Presidents DayLincoln's Birthday is a legal holiday in some
U.S. states includingIllinois ,Connecticut ,California ,Missouri ,New York ,New Jersey andIndiana . It is observed on the anniversary ofAbraham Lincoln 's birth onFebruary 12 ,1809 [ Indiana celebrates it the day after the fourth Thursday in November (See Infoplease @ [http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0002069.html] )] .The day is marked by traditional wreath-laying ceremonies at
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site inHodgenville, Kentucky , and at theLincoln Memorial inWashington, DC . The latter has been the site of a ceremony ever since the Memorial was dedicated. Since that event in1922 , observances continue to be organized by theLincoln Birthday National Commemorative Committee and by theMilitary Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States . A wreath is laid on behalf of thePresident of the United States , a custom also carried out at the gravesites of all US presidents on their birthdays. Lincoln's tomb is inSpringfield, Illinois .Many states that had formerly observed this holiday have created a joint holiday to honor both Lincoln and
George Washington , sometimes calling it "Presidents Day". It coincides with the Federal holiday officially designated "Washington's Birthday", observed on the third Monday of February. There has never been an annualFederal holiday honoring Lincoln.References
External links
* [http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/010500050k24-2.htm Illinois Code: State Holidays]
* [http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/pub/Chap002.htm Connecticut: Legal Holidays and Standard of Time]
* [http://www.nps.gov/abli Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site]
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