From the desk of Jan Hommel, American Freedom Museum Director:

On February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. President, was born in Hardin County, Kentucky. President Lincoln led the nation through the tumultuous Civil War, freed the slaves, and composed the Gettysburg Address. In 1863, during the American Civil War, President Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a federal holiday and proclaimed it a national day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens,” to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November.

This month, the American Freedom Museum is adding a new “Meet the Presidents” tour for grades 8^th – 12^th. According to our Founding Fathers, being President was the highest position of service. During their campaigns, all the Presidents explained how they planned to serve and care for the United States. Some of these great men were able to accomplish all of their goals while others were met with surprise attacks, economic difficulties and changes in their personal lives. This new tour and activity in the Museum will focus on how each man impacted the times in which he lived and served our country!

Happy Presidents’ Day!