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Civil War to Civil Rights
Lincoln Inaugural at Independence Hall in Philadelphia
February 22, 2011

On February 22, 1861, traveling to Washington D.C. for his inauguration, President-elect Abraham Lincoln stepped outside Independence Hall on that cold, winter morning, and said a few words of patriotism and inspiration. He then spat on his hands, rolled up his sleeves, and raised a 34-star flag - with the newly added star for the new State of Kansas.  Wish you had been there? 

Well, now you can!  Join the National Park Service, National Constitution Center, Philadelphia Flag Day Association, Historical Society of Frankford, The Union League of Philadelphia, and the Civil War History Consortium of Greater Philadelphia as we re-enact Lincoln's historic visit to Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, from 8:00 to 10:00 am.

The National Park Service is hosting programming that will commemorate the 150th anniversary of President-elect Abraham Lincoln's trip from Springfield, Illinois to Washington, DC, from February 11-23, 2011, by revisiting sixteen cities and towns at which Lincoln made remarks.  This reenactment is part of the National Park Service's programming commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, "Civil War to Civil Rights." 

One of these stops is Independence Hall in Philadelphia, which President-elect Lincoln visited on February 22, 1861.  Independence National Historical Park is working with Philadelphia partners to commemorate the anniversary of this visit.

The event kicks off with a parade along Independence Mall starting at 8:00 am.  While visitors to the park enjoy patriotic music and history presented by National Park Service Rangers, Lincoln re-enactor Fritz Klein of Springfield, Illinois will join local students inside Independence Hall to recreate Lincoln's speech to the dignitaries gathered there.  At 8:45, Lincoln and his guests will gather in front of Independence Hall for a re-enactment of Lincoln's outdoor speech, comments by local civic leaders, and a raising of a historic, 34-star American Flag.  The flag will continue to fly over Independence Hall for the duration of the day. The celebration will conclude with a question and answer session with President-elect Lincoln at the National Constitution Center at 9:30 (30 minutes).

Throughout the day, the National Constitution Center will host a variety of Lincoln-themed events.

For more information, please call 215-597-0060. For more information on "Civil War to Civil Rights," please visit http://www.nps.gov/liho/150th-lincolns-inaugural-journey.htm.