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Lincoln Quiz
In January of 1861, Lincoln wrote his First Inaugural Address. What happened behind the scenes before this speech was given?Lincoln wrote this famous speech in a back room above his brother-in-law's store on the town square of Springfield, Illinois. As President-elect, he was in constant demand, so he sought a secluded place to concentrate on this important task.
Lincoln's law partner, William H. Herndon, said that Lincoln only used four references for his speech: Henry Clay's 1850 speech on compromise, Webster's reply to Hayne, Andrew Jackson's proclamation against nullification, and the U.S. Constitution.
The first draft of the speech was printed at the Illinois State Journal, a Springfield newspaper office, where proof copies were secretly run off and given to Lincoln.
Lincoln almost lost his copy of the speech, however, during his inaugural journey to Washington. He had entrusted its care to his oldest son Robert, who temporarily lost the suitcase. Robert had taken off time from freshman-year studies at Harvard College to accompany his father.
Lincoln allowed four people to read the speech before he delivered it: David Davis, a close friend and Illinois circuit judge; Orville Browning, another Illinois friend and political associate; Francis P. Blair, a fellow Republican from Maryland; William H. Seward, Lincoln's Secretary of State and former political rival.
Just before Lincoln delivered the speech, he was introduced to the nation by Senator Edward D. Baker, his close friend and son's namesake (this child died before Lincoln became President). Baker became an early casualty of the war and was mourned by the entire Lincoln family.
Other Quizzes
What happened when filmmaker Ken Burns covered the Lincoln assassination?
What event happened on May 26, 1854, which re-awakened Lincoln's interest in politics?
By what route was Lincoln's body returned to his hometown?
Which speech did Lincoln say would "wear as well as--perhaps better than--any thing I have produced"?
Which Lincoln relative died on January 17, 1851?
How did Lincoln spend Christmas week as President and President-elect?
Which impact did Lincoln's election have on his professional life?
Which friend of Lincoln was killed on October 21, 1861?
Which two things would Lincoln not want you to know?
How did Lincoln bring fame to Beardstown, Illinois?
How did Lincoln spend the Fourth of July?
What was Lincoln's postal job like?
What happened the morning of February 11, 1861?
What happened behind the scenes with Lincoln's First Inaugural Address?
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