The president honored his favorite predecessor last night at the reopening of Ford's Theater, the site of Abraham Lincoln's assassination in 1865. "Harrowing," Obama called the occasion, if you're looking for the word.
Timed to coordinate with the great emancipator's 200th birthday today, the 18-month, $25-million renovation features a revamped stage, new seats, and a spacious, updated lobby. Who said taxpayers weren't bailing out the arts? Anyway! A video presentation of the Gettysburg Address was read by the four former living presidents, and the president and first lady were presented with their very own, very large copy.
While Obama traveled to Springfield, IL, today to formerly commemorate the 16th president's bicentennial, he honored him last night with these words:
Despite all that divided us — North and South, black and white — he had an unyielding belief that we were, at heart, one nation, and one people. And because of Abraham Lincoln, and all who’ve carried on his work in the generations since, that is what we remain today.
Catherine Malandrino
Don't pat taxpayers on the back too hard:
"The Ford's Theatre renovation and expansion project has been made possible primarily through donations from private sources--individuals, foundations and corporations -- as well as $8.9 million in federal funding."
No matter who's paying, it's a cool place to visit.
1Misinformation, I see why this is not a happy place.
2I need to go to Ford's Theater sometime. It is one of the places in DC I haven't been to.
On a totally unrelated note, I like Michelle's dress.
3To celebrate Abe's birthday, I randomly gave away 200 pennies this morning (to 200 different people), saying: Happy birthday to Abe Lincoln, it's his 200th birthday, so here is a picture of him for you. I personally hate pennies. But not one person refused it, and all but one said thank you.
4200 people? How many of them thought you were scary do you think?
5I would have given it back to you. I hate pennies.
6Happy birthday Abe
7"The Ford's Theatre renovation and expansion project has been made possible primarily through donations from private sources--individuals, foundations and corporations -- as well as $8.9 million in federal funding."
Sounds like the taxpayers are paying for this.
8Qatar is among the donors.
9They need to stop making pennies. People just hoard them. It's a losing proposition.
10Does anyone else find it interesting that it's both Lincoln's and Darwins' birthday? Or is that just me?
11There is some weird connection between the two men.
12What is it!
I don't find it interesting at all. But most people don't realize, or regonize Darwin's birthday anyway. I think it's good that President Obama went there to honor Lincoln.
13Is there Janneth? I had no idea. I just thought it was interesting that 2 very prominent people in history share the exact same birthday. These are names that pretty much everyone knows (even if we don't know their birthdays), they each did huge things and are known the world over. People whose works are still talked about on a regular basis, common household names. It was in that respect that I thought it was interesting.
14How come there isn't any mention that he used Lincoln to try and pass his stimulus plan? It's all sunshine and roses, but the man is doing things that are NOT RIGHT and they are not being reported!
15What's not being reported Clara?
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