Photos courtesy of Library of Congress


Obama to be sworn in on Lincoln's Bible

There's been a lot of coverage of President-elect Obama's shirtless Hawaii pics. The country is agog over presidential pecs. But even more thrilling I think, for the historical significance, is the fact that Barack Obama will be sworn in as president on the same Bible that President Abraham Lincoln used at his 1861 inauguration.  He'll be the first president to use the Lincoln Bible at inauguration since President Abraham Lincoln himself.

From US News and World Report:

Barack Obama will be sworn in as president on the same Bible that President Abraham Lincoln used at his 1861 inauguration. Learn more about the Lincoln Bible, which hasn't been used by another presidential inauguration since Lincoln's, at the Library of Congress's website. The release from Obama's Presidential Inaugural Committee:

Facing a nation divided, teetering toward civil war, President Lincoln used his first inaugural address to call for national unity, arguing that our Constitution was created "to form a more perfect Union." Now, 147 years later, President-elect Barack Obama is echoing President Lincoln's call in words and in symbolism.  He will be placing his hand upon the same burgundy velvet-bound Bible that was used by President Lincoln at his first inauguration as he is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.

President-elect Obama is deeply honored that the Library of Congress has made the Lincoln Bible available for use during his swearing-in. The President-elect is committed to holding an inauguration that celebrates the unity of America, and the use of this historic Bible will provide a powerful connection to our common past and common heritage.

US News and World Report