1. What 2-3 adjectives come to mind when you think of Abraham Lincoln? Explain your answer.

2. Take some time to check out the links on Abraham Lincoln in today's post. Has your answer to question #1 changed? Explain your answer.

3. Read some of President Lincoln's speeches, including:

• Gettysburg Address at gettysburg.com)
• Emancipation Proclamation at archives.gov.
• 2nd Inauguaral Address at avalon.law.yale.edu.
• Lincoln's last public address, given on April 11, 1865, following Gen. Lee's surrender to Gen. Grant

What is the general tone of each speech?

CHALLENGE:  Abraham Lincoln remained steadfast in his embrace of the Declaration of Independence throughout his presidency. As he had urged in a speech in 1858:

"Return to the foundation whose waters spring close by the blood of the Revolution. Think nothing of me; take no thought for the political fate of any man whomsoever, but come back to the truths that are in the Declaration of Independence."

How many times have you read through the Declaration of Independence?  Read through the Declaration of Independence every day for a week.  Why do you think these truths were so important to Lincoln? For the full text, go to the U.S. Archives: archives.gov