I'm getting older and older, but I'm not too old to remember most important dates in our nation's history
Thus, I do take note of some people's birthdays, and whose birthdays we all should remember.
Today while listening to the local oldies radio station, they noted the birthdays of some "famous" people such as little known actors, actresses, athletes and rock stars.
But one person wasn't among the mentioned. Thus, allow me to correct that glaring omission herein.
On February 12, 1809, 204 years ago today, Abraham Lincoln was born in a one-room log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky. He became our 16th president in March 1861 and served until his assassination in April 1865.
Running for Senator from Illinois in 1858, he lost. Perhaps what he had to say in his House Divided Speech that year affected the outcome, but he told it like it was anyway:
"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the union to be dissolved---I do not expect the house to fall---but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new --- North as well as South."
He predicted the future correctly, of course, and as President issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. It became effective on January 1, 1863.
By the way, February 22, 1732 is George Washington's actual birthday. He was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
And as Forrest Gump, who was born near Greenbow, Alabama on D-Day June 6, 1944, famously said, "That's all I have to say about that."
Thanks. Bob.
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