A Look Back: Lincoln’s 216th Birthday Symposium & Banquet
A Celebration of Lincoln’s Legacy – Watch the Highlights!
The Abraham Lincoln Association (ALA) recently hosted a remarkable celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s 216th birthday, bringing together historians, scholars, and enthusiasts in Springfield, Illinois. Our annual Benjamin P. Thomas Symposium featured thought-provoking presentations on Lincoln’s leadership, his era’s challenges, and newly uncovered historical insights.
That evening, we gathered for a memorable banquet and keynote address by renowned Lincoln scholar Michael Burlingame, who shared his “Adventures and Misadventures of a Lincoln Scholar.”
For those who couldn’t join us in person—or for attendees who want to revisit the experience—we’ve compiled videos of all presentations and a photo gallery capturing event highlights.
🔗 Watch the Videos & View the Photos
Thank you to everyone who made this event a success! Your support helps us keep Lincoln’s legacy alive.
JALA Now Hosted by University of Illinois Press
The Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association (JALA)—the only peer-reviewed journal dedicated exclusively to Lincoln scholarship—now has a new home at the University of Illinois Press with a brand-new website.
As the official journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association, JALA offers in-depth research and fresh insights into Lincoln’s life, legacy, and the Civil War era. Each issue features:
📜 Scholarly articles exploring Lincoln in popular media, international perspectives on the Civil War, and more.
🖋 Newly discovered Lincoln letters and unpublished primary source documents.
📸 Rare historical photographs that bring the past to life.
We invite you to browse past editions, read the latest research, and immerse yourself in the ongoing conversation about Abraham Lincoln.
Membership Notice
We invite you to become an official member of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Your membership is vital to our mission: “To observe each anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln; to preserve and make more readily accessible the landmarks associated with his life; and to actively encourage, promote, and aid the collection and dissemination of authentic information regarding all phases of his life and career.”
When you join, you become part of a vibrant community dedicated to honoring and studying Lincoln's legacy. Membership offers exclusive benefits, including:
A subscription to the Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association, published twice a year and featuring the latest research and articles on Lincoln’s life and times.
Our quarterly newsletter, For the People, keeping you updated on ALA events, programs, and Lincoln-related news.
The chance to support student awards, such as the prestigious Hay-Nicolay Dissertation Prize, given annually to exceptional research in Lincoln studies.
Access to exclusive Lincoln events, symposia, and educational programs that bring Lincoln’s legacy to life.
Contributions toward preserving Lincoln-related materials and sites, ensuring future generations can experience authentic connections to his life and values.
Whether you’re renewing your commitment or joining for the first time, you’re supporting crucial preservation and educational efforts that extend Lincoln’s legacy. Memberships and renewals can be processed securely online at: abrahamlincolnassociation.org/abraham-lincoln-association-membership.
Thank you again for your support. Together, we keep Abraham Lincoln’s memory alive and relevant in our world today.
I feel bad missing this. Unable to get to the program due family responsibilities. Will try again next by year.