Saturday, February 14, 2009

KENTUCKY NATIVE - ABRAHAM LINCOLN

On Monday, February 16, 2009, we celebrate President's Day. Since Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809 in Hardin County, Kentucky and it is his 200th birthday, I am dedicating this post to "Honest Abe".

Below you will find listed some facts and little known facts about our 16th president:

Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks, died when he was nine years of age from "Milk Sickness" that is caused from consuming contaminated milk.

Lincoln's stepmother, Sarah, encouraged him to study and make something of his life.

Lincoln struggled with depression all his life.

He was engaged several times.

He worked as a ferry boat operator.

He is the only American President to hold a patent.

His youthful sweetheart, Ann Rutledge, died.

Lincoln was a U.S. Congressman.

He married Mary Todd of Lexington, Kentucky on November 4, 1842. She was 24 and he was 33 when they married. They had "Love is Eternal" engraved in their wedding bands.

The Lincoln Bedroom was never a bedroom during his term but was used as an office.

The Lincolns shared the White House with two pet goats named Nanny and Nanko.

The family dog's name was Fido.

The Gettysburg Address was not Lincoln's best speech.

John Wilkes Booth's older brother saved the life of Abe Lincoln's son, Robert.

Lincoln's death masks were made before he was killed.

Lincoln's body was almost stolen.

Lincoln was the first president to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

Lincoln was the first president to sport a beard.

Wife, Mary, was put in an institution after Abe's death by her son due to her mental health.

Lincoln was a man of humble origins whose perseverance and determination helped to end slavery in the United States.

One quote I read from Lincoln goes like this: " I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts. " I think this still stands true today!

26 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Great post, Judy! Interesting things about Lincoln -- some I knew, most of them I didn't. That one quote is so great! I agree, it still stands true today! Have a great weekend and Happy Valentine!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

A very interesting blog, I have had an excellent American History lesson, Thank you Judy, I will show this to my grandson who is learning American history at school.
Take care.

Yvonne.

June Saville said...

I couldn't agree more with Abe's quote. We're seeing he's right in what's happening in Australia today.

Those people in the Victorian bush fires are faring well in their recovery. They know they're loved and things are happening to help because those in charge have been open.

Our nation's determination to pull together in this effort is heart warming and affirming of human nature. Even the poor sick man who is alleged to have lit some of the fires has been shown compassion. He and his family are being protected from any possible backlash and his name has not been released.

June in Oz

Some Kinda Wonderful said...

Thank you, Judy, for your excellent post. Fido, eh? Now that is something I did not know. :)

Ugich Konitari said...

It is very interesting for me, in a another country, to learn about your history like this. And I like that you make such timely postings with fun facts....I was just wondering what patent was held by President Lincoln ? Greetings on the occassion of President Lincoln's birthday...

Nancy said...

Fascinating! Some of those facts I knew--others were new! I, too, like the quote, and sadly, I don't think it is remembered much by today's politicians.

I have visited Lincoln's birthplace, childhood home, and the home of his parents several times, and I always learn something new about the president I consider our greatest so far..

Margie's Musings said...

Very interesting and timely post, Judy!

Anonymous said...

What a great quote, we could do with a bit of that type of thinking in the UK now.

Aleks said...

Great,Nanny and Nanko too,I love this,Thank you for this beautiful post,take care,love from Holland.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Thanks for the great history lesson, Judy.. We all need to go back to school at times to remember some of these things which may have LEFT our brains!!!! ha

Hope you are having a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Judy, I always enjoy reading your post.
Blessings to you this Sunday evening.

JunieRose2005 said...

Judy,

Very interesting post.

Thanks for sharing this.


Junie

Lilly said...

I always learn a lot from your posts. These facts about Lincoln were really interesting. I learnt more here than all the time I spent in Wahington. Thanks Judy.

Beth said...

Another very interesting post, Judy! You always come up with the most fascinating details in your pieces---I certainly never knew that John Wilkes Booth's older brother had saved the life of Abe Lincoln's son.

I like that quote from Lincoln. I just wish it wasn't so hard these days to know what the truth is!

Thanks for another great post!

Clara....in TN said...

Great post Judy. I always like to hear things about "Honest Abe." My son uses his quotes all the time.

Amber Star said...

Goats in the White House, eh? Who knew. I knew his wife was very squirrley but didn't know her son put her in a mental institution. I didn't know I didn't know how to spell squirrley and there are a couple of ways to spell it.

I wish we knew the real truth about what is going on in our country or maybe not...ya know.

I'm so glad you are back online.

Margaret Cloud said...

He came from humble beginnings, this is what made him a great President, he believed in the people, I don't believe that our present day Presidents are as great as the first ones.

Amber Star said...

Oh Lord, Judy...7 months in a cast! Both of us, my dil and me, will go nutz! She goes tomorrow, so maybe I'll know more then. Hope fully good news.

Jamie Dawn said...

I no longer trust our media to bring us the plain, unbiased truth. I don't mind opinions being given when that is the format, but when I want hard facts and straight news, that is hard to find. I want good, old fashioned journalists to dig for the truth no matter where it leads and report it fully and honestly.

I have visited the Lincoln Memorial a couple of times, and I must say that he surely had some powerful words to say. That memorial brought tears to my eyes both times I was there. Lincoln was a strong man who had a tough crisis on his hands and worked hard to keep our nation from splitting up. He was not a perfect man, but he was the right man at the right time for our floundering, war torn nation.

Grammy said...

Judy,
I am having a problem with my blog and am hoping you can help me...I can't get to the viewing part of my blog. When I click on view blog after I publish, I just get the background with no print. I can't even access the published part when I put in my blog address. In the past, I have been able to get to the blog when accessing it from family who have it listed. Do you have any ideas for me? I have tried the "help" section of the bloggers help. Have you ever run into this problem? Thanks ever so much.

pamwax said...

Great post. Wouldn't it be great if we were given the real facts by today's politicians.

Leigh said...

Wow! I didn't know that his wife was put in a mental institution. Interesting post!!

Love you Mom!

Leigh

SILVER said...

pet goats? this is pretty cool..

Balisha said...

Hi Judy,
We watched a special on PBS about Lincoln's body almost being stolen like it says here in your blog. Very interesting.My husband was in charge of the mental hosp. that Mary Todd Lincoln was a patient. He told me about the documents that were there about her.

Yankee Girl ~ Missy said...

I watched a show on his body being almost stolen the other night. Very interesting. Yet I was horrified at everything he went threw in life and death. Truly a great President. They don't grow them like that anymore.

zuveena said...

wow this is a great post now my knowledge about late pres. lincoln widen...wow..i featured him also in my blog..he was one of the greatest president that the third world always remember..i dont exactly know why..he is so famous...