For those who have read Land of
Lincoln, you all know of one chapter that particularly stands out among the
series of odd events that occurs in that book. What chapter I am alluding to is
the section where Ferguson goes to an Abraham Lincoln convention. At it, he
meets a myriad of Lincoln and Mary impersonators that gather together to
discuss historical accuracy, booking and handling events, and other anecdotal
tales. I for one did not know that such a convention existed, and I find it
simultaneously interesting and disturbing.
Well, it was definitely this
chapter that I had in mind when I came across one elementary school’s way of
celebrating Lincoln’s 204th birthday this year. For it, a class of
fourth graders dressed up as Abraham Lincoln, performed a reading of the
Gettysburg address and did a post-speech answer session in Grand Central
Station. Just from the video and accompanying pictures posted, it seems like
quite the sight to see so many Lincolns.
In both cases, these groups of
people celebrated and idealized Lincoln and wish to perpetuate his image in the
modern era. Of course, with so many people acting as Lincoln, it is impossible
to even perpetuate a consistent or “historically accurate” representation of
Lincoln. Nonetheless, how people continue to bring Lincoln into their society
will be of continued interest.
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