Category: Illinois Bicentennial

In 2018, Illinois will celebrate 200 years of statehood! For the bicentennial, the Illinois History and Lincoln Collections will kick off a year-long celebration of the Prairie State’s fascinating history. Each month, we will focus on a different theme in Illinois history.

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Illinois Bicentennial

200 - Illinois Bicentennial

*Originally posted on December 19, 2017*

In 2018, Illinois will celebrate 200 years of statehood! For the bicentennial, the Illinois History and Lincoln Collections will kick off a year-long celebration of the Prairie State’s fascinating history.

Starting in January, we will focus on a different theme in Illinois history each month. Themes will include: women in Illinois, stories of Civil War soldiers from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln, LGBTQ+ history in Illinois, Illinois colleges, crime and criminals, sports, and others. Follow along on our social media platforms to learn more about these and other topics in Illinois history.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illinoisIHLC/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illinoisihlc/?hl=en… Read More

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#SmallTownSaturday – Lincoln, IL

Abraham Lincoln in 1857

We’re travelling to Lincoln, IL (pop. 13,969) for today’s #SmallTownSaturday feature. (It also happens to fit in with our Abraham Lincoln theme for January, what a coincidence!)

While there are many towns in the United States named after the 16th president, Lincoln, IL is the only town that was named after Abraham Lincoln before he was elected president in 1860.

Abraham Lincoln’s involvement in the area now known as Lincoln, IL (then named Postville, IL) goes back to his days as a lawyer in the 1830s and 1840s. At that time, Postville was located in Sangamon County, the same county as Springfield, IL, where Abraham Lincoln lived and worked.… Read More