For more than 80 years, members of the American Legion have traveled to President Abraham Lincoln's tomb in Springfield to honor his presidency and celebrate his birthday ,it’s today, February 12th.
Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Erica Jeffries, who is black, spoke at the commemoration. She says Lincoln was a military veteran and Springfield's favorite son.
"One of America's greatest presidents who changed and shaped the course of our nation, which really enabled me to stand here today."
Jeffries is a former U.S. Army Captain and Black Hawk pilot. The governor appointed her to lead the state’s veterans agency early last year.
Other capital city events in honor of Lincoln’s birth include free admission to the Presidential Museum, a concert by a Volunteer Cavalry Regiment Band, and folk dancing at the Old State Capitol.
The Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site and the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site in in eastern Illinois will also hold birthday events.
Lincoln is best known for keeping the union of states together and abolishing slavery during the Civil War.