The day after Thanksgiving is often a day many people spent standing in line in attempts to get the best deal on their holiday buys. However, the day is also a celebration for a few other things, one of them being President Lincoln’s Birthday.
Celebrating President Lincoln
You’re probably thinking, wait, I thought that was in February. Well, it is. Some states celebrate Lincoln’s Birthday in combination with President’s Day, which is Washington’s Birthday. There are usually various re-enactments and other celebrations that go on for this day. However, some states in the United States choose to single out President Lincoln’s birthday and celebrate it.
Lincoln’s Birthday is a public holiday (in February) in some states including:
- California. (Many schools, courts and businesses are closed. However, some offices and businesses remain open)
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Missouri (Many schools remain open )
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York (Lincoln’s Birthday is a floating holiday for state government employees in certain bargaining units)
- West Virginia
Many of the government offices in these states are closed. Some schools are open, so it is important to check with your school district. Some local businesses may be closed as well, but most major retailers will be open.
There are also two states that celebrate Lincoln on the day after Thanksgiving:
- Indiana
- West Virginia
Government offices in these two states will be closed on this holiday (the day after Thanksgiving). Schools will also be closed for the holiday and the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Some local businesses may be open or closed, check in with specific stores to find out their hours of operation Friday.
History of Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. For some time, he lived in Indiana before he moved to Illinois. He married Mary Todd and had four sons, only one of whom lived to maturity.
Lincoln began his political career at the age of 23 when he ran a campaign for the Illinois General Assembly, as a Whig Party member. He did not win. He joined the newly formed Republican Party in 1854 and was nationally recognized during the 1858 debates with Stephen Douglas. Lincoln won the presidency in 1860. He was the president throughout the American Civil War. He is also known for the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.
He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on Good Friday in 1865. The assassination occurred less than two weeks after the Union won the Civil War. Lincoln’s birthday was first celebrated as a holiday in 1866, one year after his death.
Sales and Celebration for Lincoln’s Day
There won’t be any sales specific the Lincoln’s Day in Indiana or West Virginia this Friday, but there will be a ton of regular Black Friday sales. The state’s government offices will be closed and some local businesses will be closed as well.
No celebrations will be held to commemorate the day as Indiana, West Virginia and the other states will celebrate the dead president on President’s Day in February.
Amanda Blankenship is the Chief Editor for District Media. With a BA in journalism from Wingate University, she frequently writes for a handful of websites and loves to share her own personal finance story with others. When she isn’t typing away at her desk, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, son, husband, and dog. During her free time, you’re likely to find her with her nose in a book, hiking, or playing RPG video games.
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