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Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
February 12
Celebrate our 16th president's birthday by learning more about his life and completing these classroom activities.
General Information 
Lesson Plans Speeches Images of Lincoln
Student Activities TV / Videos Lincoln Reading List
- 16th President of the United States
- Born: February 12, 1809 in Hardin (now Larue) County, Kentucky
- Died: April 15, 1865 in Washington, District of Columbia
- President: March 4th, 1861 to April 15, 1865
Abraham Lincoln
In referring to Lincoln's thirst for knowledge in spite of humble beginnings, this page quotes Lincoln's former law partner as saying about Lincoln, "His ambition was a little engine that knew no rest."
In referring to Lincoln's thirst for knowledge in spite of humble beginnings, this page quotes Lincoln's former law partner as saying about Lincoln, "His ambition was a little engine that knew no rest." Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life
An online Smithsonian exhibition celebrating Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday.
An online Smithsonian exhibition celebrating Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. 
Abraham Lincoln Online
A comprehensive site with biographical information, text of speeches, and information about some of the historical places associated with Lincoln such as Ford's Theatre.
A comprehensive site with biographical information, text of speeches, and information about some of the historical places associated with Lincoln such as Ford's Theatre. Abraham Lincoln Papers
From the American Memory, Library of Congress, the online presentation of the Abraham Lincoln Papers comprises approximately 61,000 images and 10,000 transcriptions.
From the American Memory, Library of Congress, the online presentation of the Abraham Lincoln Papers comprises approximately 61,000 images and 10,000 transcriptions. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
This official Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is devoted to telling the life story of the nation's beloved 16th President.
This official Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is devoted to telling the life story of the nation's beloved 16th President. 
Free Lincoln Conference Online
Watch archived presentations from Smithsonian curators and your colleagues across the country on Abraham Lincoln's life and death.
Watch archived presentations from Smithsonian curators and your colleagues across the country on Abraham Lincoln's life and death. The History Place: Lincoln
A timeline of President Lincoln's presidency, many great photos, and Civil War information.
A timeline of President Lincoln's presidency, many great photos, and Civil War information. 
Lincoln Memorial
The monument in Washington, D.C. is "a tribute to President Abraham Lincoln and the nation he fought to preserve during the Civil War (1861-1865)."
The monument in Washington, D.C. is "a tribute to President Abraham Lincoln and the nation he fought to preserve during the Civil War (1861-1865)." Mr. Lincoln's Virtual Library
From the Library of Congress--documents and resources about President Lincoln.
From the Library of Congress--documents and resources about President Lincoln. PBS American Experience: The Time of the Lincolns
Companion to the film Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided.
Companion to the film Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided. Whitman's "Death of Lincoln"
Library of Congress Webcast, dramatic reading of Walt Whitman's historic lecture, "Death of Lincoln," by Daniel Epstein.
Library of Congress Webcast, dramatic reading of Walt Whitman's historic lecture, "Death of Lincoln," by Daniel Epstein. 
Using Art to Study the Past
The engraving used in this lesson, "First Reading of the Emancipation
Proclamation before Lincoln’s Cabinet," is derived from one of the best-known historical paintings in American history.
The engraving used in this lesson, "First Reading of the Emancipation
Proclamation before Lincoln’s Cabinet," is derived from one of the best-known historical paintings in American history. Guide for the film Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided
The classroom activities are grouped into 3 parts, corresponding with sections of the film, and within each part into 4 categories: history, economics, geography, and civics.
The classroom activities are grouped into 3 parts, corresponding with sections of the film, and within each part into 4 categories: history, economics, geography, and civics. 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program (K-1) (pdf)
Students will learn more about Abraham Lincoln as they explore the new one cent coin.
Students will learn more about Abraham Lincoln as they explore the new one cent coin. Abraham Lincoln Activity Book for You! (K-2)
Printable coloring pages and Abraham Lincoln activities for young children.
Printable coloring pages and Abraham Lincoln activities for young children. Imagining Abraham Lincoln (K-4)
After reading the book Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers students will create a new scene that is not in the book, based on the character of Abraham Lincoln.
After reading the book Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers students will create a new scene that is not in the book, based on the character of Abraham Lincoln. Letters from Lincoln (4-6)
This lesson is designed to help students become familiar with Abraham Lincoln's childhood as a pioneer in Indiana between 1816.
This lesson is designed to help students become familiar with Abraham Lincoln's childhood as a pioneer in Indiana between 1816. We Must Not Be Enemies: Lincoln's 1st Inaugural Address (4-6)
This lesson will help students understand the historical context and significance of Lincoln's inaugural address through archival documents.
This lesson will help students understand the historical context and significance of Lincoln's inaugural address through archival documents. Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (4-8)
Lincoln honored the sacrifice of the soldiers and reminded citizens of the necessity of continuing to fight the Civil War. This activity has students perform a close reading of the Gettysburg Address.
Lincoln honored the sacrifice of the soldiers and reminded citizens of the necessity of continuing to fight the Civil War. This activity has students perform a close reading of the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln and Log Cabins (4-8)
Explore the pioneer life of Abraham Lincoln by learning how to construct a pioneer log cabin via a student centered internet site.
Explore the pioneer life of Abraham Lincoln by learning how to construct a pioneer log cabin via a student centered internet site. Commemoration of the Gettysburg Battlefield (7-12)
Students will access multiple primary sources that provide a historical context for the Gettysburg Address and then classify the information to form generalizations about the Civil War and democracy.
Students will access multiple primary sources that provide a historical context for the Gettysburg Address and then classify the information to form generalizations about the Civil War and democracy. Lincoln Goes to War (9-12)
Explore the decision-making process that precipitated the Civil War, focusing on deliberations within the Lincoln administration that led to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861.
Explore the decision-making process that precipitated the Civil War, focusing on deliberations within the Lincoln administration that led to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861. Families in Bondage (9-12)
This lesson draws on letters written by slaves and free blacks to loved ones still in bondage, to offer students a glimpse into slavery and its effects on African American family life.
This lesson draws on letters written by slaves and free blacks to loved ones still in bondage, to offer students a glimpse into slavery and its effects on African American family life. Lincoln on the American Union: “A Word Fitly Spoken” (9-12)
This unit explores the political thought of Abraham Lincoln on the subject of American union.
This unit explores the political thought of Abraham Lincoln on the subject of American union. A House Dividing: The Growing Crisis of Sectionalism in Antebellum America (9-12)
In this unit, students will trace the development of sectionalism in the United States as it was driven by the growing dependence upon, and defense of, black slavery in the southern states.
In this unit, students will trace the development of sectionalism in the United States as it was driven by the growing dependence upon, and defense of, black slavery in the southern states. Abraham Lincoln on Slavery and Race (9-12)
Slavery played a prominent role in America's history in the antebellum era. Politicians were increasingly pressured to make their opinions known, and Abraham Lincoln was no exception.
Slavery played a prominent role in America's history in the antebellum era. Politicians were increasingly pressured to make their opinions known, and Abraham Lincoln was no exception.
A Reading of the Gettysburg Address
Listen to a reading of the Gettysburg Address, the speech, which was written to commemorate the Union soldiers killed in the Civil War.
Listen to a reading of the Gettysburg Address, the speech, which was written to commemorate the Union soldiers killed in the Civil War. 
Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address was delivered on March 4, 1865, during the final days of the Civil War and only a month before he was assassinated.
Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address was delivered on March 4, 1865, during the final days of the Civil War and only a month before he was assassinated. 
Library of Congress: Gettysburg Address
View drafts of the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln's invitation to Gettysburg and the only known photo of Lincoln at Gettysburg.
View drafts of the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln's invitation to Gettysburg and the only known photo of Lincoln at Gettysburg.
Abraham Lincoln's Crossroads Game
Learn about Lincoln’s leadership by exploring the political choices he made.
Learn about Lincoln’s leadership by exploring the political choices he made. 
Lincoln's Log Cabin
Guide young Abraham Lincoln through each step of the cabin building process and answer his questions along the way.
Guide young Abraham Lincoln through each step of the cabin building process and answer his questions along the way.
Young Lincoln
This program examines how the joys and trials of Abraham Lincoln's boyhood years formed his personality, shaped his early political notions and molded his character.
This program examines how the joys and trials of Abraham Lincoln's boyhood years formed his personality, shaped his early political notions and molded his character.Lincoln videos in eMedia
The videos contained in eMedia are available to Utah's K-12 teachers and students through the K12 Pioneer Library.
The videos contained in eMedia are available to Utah's K-12 teachers and students through the K12 Pioneer Library.
- American Experience. Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided
- Freedom: A History of US
- Our Presidents in America's History: Abraham Lincoln.
- Slavery and the Making of America
- The Civil War
- U.S. History Collection. Causes of the Civil War
- 19th Century Turning Points in U.S. History
- History Happened Here. The Battle of Gettysburg.
A Lincoln Reading List & Primary Sources (pdf)
This Lincoln book list from the Indiana Department of Education provides something for everyone.
This Lincoln book list from the Indiana Department of Education provides something for everyone.
Pre-School to Grade 3
Historical Fiction and Fiction
- A. Lincoln and Me - Louise W. Bordon, Ted Lewin (illus.)
- Abe Lincoln and the Muddy Pig - Stephen Krensky, Cresham Griffith
- Abe Lincoln’s Hat - Martha Brenner, Donald Cook (illus.)
- Grace’s Letter to Lincoln - Connie Roop
- Honest Abe - Edith Kunhardt
- Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers - Karen B. Winnick (illus.)
- Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt - Deborah Hopkinson, James Ransome (illus.)
Nonfiction and Biography
- Abraham Lincoln - Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire
- Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books - Kay Winters, Nancy Carpenter (illus.)
- Abe Lincoln Goes to Washington, 1837-1863 - Cheryl Harness
- Abe Lincoln Remembers - Ann Turner, Wendell Minor (illus.)
- Lincoln’s Legacy: Blast to the Past - Stacia Deutsch, Rhody Cohon, David Wenzel (illus.)
- Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving - Laurie Halse Anderson, Matt Faulkner
- Young Abe Lincoln - Cheryl Harness
Grades 4 - 8
Historical Fiction and Fiction
- Across Five Aprils - Irene Hunt
- After the Rain: Virginia’s Diary, Book Two, Washington D.C., 1864 - Mary Pope Osborne
- Amos Fortune, Free Man - Elizabeth Yates
- Bull Run - Paul Fleischman
- Letters from Vinnie - Maureen Stack Sappey
- Mr. Lincoln’s Drummer - G. Clifton Wisler
Nonfiction and Biography
- Abraham Lincoln the Writer: A Treasury of His Greatest Speeches and Letters - Harold Holzer
- Don’t Know Much About Abraham Lincoln - Kenneth C. Davis, Rob Shepperson
- Don’t Know Much About the Civil War - Kenneth C. Davis
- Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth & John Wilkes Booth - James Cross Giblin
- Lincoln: A Photobiography - Russell Freeman
- The Lincoln Memorial - Hal Marcovitz
- No Better Hope: What the Lincoln Memorial Means to America - Brent K. Ashabranner
- Mr. Lincoln’s T-Mails: The Untold Story of How Abraham Lincoln Used the Telegraph to Win the Civil War - Tom Wheeler
Grades 9 - 12 and Adult
Historical Fiction and Fiction
- Cold Mountain - Charles Frazier
- The Emancipator’s Wife - Barbara Hambly
- Fire by Night - Lynn Austin
- The Friendly Persuasion - Jessamyn West
- The Killer Angels - Michael Shaara
- The Red Badge of Courage - Stephen Crane
- Rifles for Watie - Harold Keith
- Shiloh: A Novel - Shelby Foote
Nonfiction and Biography
- 100 Essential Lincoln Books - Michael Burkhimer
- Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and the War Years - Carl Sandburg
- The Assassination of Lincoln: History and Myth - Lloyd Lewis, Mark Neely
- The Civil War: An Illustrated History - Geoffrey C. Ward, Ric Burns, Ken Burns
- Civil War Railroads: A Pictorial Story of the War Between the States, 1861-1865 - George B. Abdill
- Conversations With Lincoln - Charles M. Segel, David Donald
- The Day Lincoln Was Shot - Jim Bishop
- Fleeing for Freedom: Stories of the Underground Railroad as Told by Levi Coffin and William Still - George Hendrick
- John Wilkes Booth: A Sister's Memoir - Asia Booth Clarke
- Hope and Glory: Essays on the Legacy of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment - Martin Henry Blatt, Thomas J. Brown, Donald Yacovone (Eds.)
- Lincoln - David Herbert Donald
- Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power - Richard Carwardine
- Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America - Garry Wills
- Lincoln's Sword: The Presidency and the Power of Words - Douglas L. Wilson
- Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln - Doris Kearns Goodwin
- The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln: As Reflected in His Letters and Speeches - H. Jack Lang, Abraham Lincoln