Lincoln Bicentennial

Peter and I are about to start day three in Springfield, Illinois. We're both thoroughly enjoying the Lincoln Bicentennial. Lincoln's 200th birthday was yesterday and it's been a celebration like none other. So far in Springfield, we have:

• Attended the wreath laying ceremony at Lincoln's Tomb
• Visited the Abraham Lincoln Museum
• Explored the Abraham Lincoln National Library
• Took in Ron Schramm's Lincoln statue photography exhibition
• Listened to two fantastic round table discussions with Lincoln Historians on the topics of The Breakup of the Union & Lincoln and the Civil War
• Walked all throughout the Old State Capital building where Lincoln delivered his House Divided Speech in 1855 ("A house divided against itself cannot stand")
• Visited the law office where Lincoln worked

Its amazing that 200 years ago yesterday, a man was born who made it possible for Obama to be in the position he is today. I think that's so cool. Last night, at the Birthday Banquet & Symposium we even got to listen to Obama give an amazing speech. He was in a room upstairs with 900 guests while we were in an overflow room of 300 guests. His speech was phenomenal! He emphasized, as did Lincoln, the importance for a union - that people can't do it alone. He also called for the people of our nation to rid themselves of the anti-government way of thinking which has been so prominant these last 10-20 years. It was a great speech.

Today Peter and I will visit Lincoln's home, the Lincoln Depot and the Grand Army of the Republic Museum. Then we will drive 3 hours north to Chicago to visit my wife's sister, Becky. Her boyfriend has secured a bicycle for me and we're going to go riding around the city tomorrow morning/afternoon. It'll be Chicago deep-dish pizza for dinner and then Sunday morning we'll fly out of Ohare. I'll be home in NY Sunday evening and I'm off on Monday for President's Day. (woohoo!)