Honor Abraham Lincoln on October 31

Honor Abraham Lincoln on October 31


One hundred years ago on October 31, 1913,
the Lincoln Highway Association dedicated the transcontinental Lincoln
Highway to the memory of President Abraham Lincoln for the American
people.  On
that day in 1913, towns along the Lincoln Highway celebrated with
bonfires and decorating with red, white, and blue bunting, and American
flags.  


In preparation for the celebration one hundred years ago, the October 26, 1913 issue of The San Francisco Chronicle,
wrote:  "It is the idea of the boosters of the transcontinental
motorway that the dedication
be a sort of spontaneous expression of gratification and it has been
left to each city and town along the route of the proposed highway to
devise and carry out its own plan of celebration."

 

The states along the route devised their own celebrations
for the Lincoln Highway's dedication to the memory of Abraham Lincoln in
1913.  In Wyoming, Governor Carey's proclamation stated: "It is thought
especially
fitting that on the evening of October 31st there should be an old-time
jollification to include bonfires and general rejoicing; this for the
purpose of impressing upon the people and especially the younger
generation-the services and unselfish life of Lincoln,
and for the further purpose of painting a big picture so far as

amusements are concerned of the highway which is to cross our state." 


Governor Oddie of Nevada wrote in his 1913 proclamation,
"Friday the 31st day of October, by statute a legal holiday, is the 49th
anniversary of the admission of Nevada into the Union — the only state
admitted
during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. It happens that on the evening
of this day, in all the cities and towns of all the states through
which the proposed Lincoln Highway will pass, public services will be
held, celebrating the naming of the route."


In Illinois in 1913, towns celebrated with
red, white, and blue patriotic decorations and citizens across the
state flew their American flags on Halloween.

To honor the 100th Anniversary of the
Lincoln Highway Association's dedication of the Lincoln Highway as a
memorial to Abraham Lincoln for the people of the United States, fly
your American flag on October
31, 2013.  Tell your neighbors to fly their flags on October 31, too. 
Perhaps take some time out in between answering the door for
Trick-or-Treaters to remember and think about our President Abraham
Lincoln that day. 

For more information, please visit:

http://illinoislincolnhighwayassociation.org/ or call the Lincoln
Highway Association National Tourism Headquarters in Franklin Grove at: 

815-456-3030.