Krone letter: Lincoln birthday
On Friday communities across America will celebrate the 207th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln. Boise will observe his birthday with special events honoring the life, lore and legacy of the man who kept a special place in his heart for our newly minted territory.
David H. Leroy, former Idaho attorney general and lieutenant governor, mentioned in the preface of the 2009 book “Lincoln Never Slept Here” that “... Lincoln personally lobbied for and then, in 1863, signed the Idaho Territory bill ... Men with authority from, and close relations to, the 16th president organized, shaped, civilized and promoted this place.” Lincoln had earlier smoothed the new territory’s path towards Idaho statehood when in 1862 he signed into law the Homestead, Transcontinental and Morrill Land Grant College Acts.
We owe a lot to Abraham Lincoln and should ask ourselves: “What have I done for Lincoln recently?” By attending one of three free family-friendly events where we can learn about our 16th president beginning with Friday’s Lincoln Birthday Celebration at the Idaho State Archives. A wreath-laying ceremony by Idaho Civil War Roundtable will take place at the Capitol Mall Lincoln Statue on Friday. For more info go to http://abrahamlincolnandtheidahoconnections.yolasite.com/.
William Krone, Boise
This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 6:46 PM with the headline "Krone letter: Lincoln birthday."