Centering on the two-hundredth anniversary of his birth, a two year celebration begins in February 2008 to honor the life and legacy of the UnitedStates sixteenth president Abraham Lincoln.Even 200 years after Lincolns birth, the nation is still in formation. Certainly the country has grown, but that growth has been at the cost of splintering of many parts of our society. Competing values, interests, and beliefs, have complicated Lincolns goal to find unity in our diversity.
In his Gettysburg address, Lincoln reminded what the brave men, living and dead did on the battlefield and challenged the living to dedicate themselves to the unfinished work of those men.The Bicentennial commemoration of his life and legacy will be a bright beacon to completing our nations unfinished work.Through education programs, public forums, and arts projects the Bicentennial provides an opportunity to re-examine what it means to be American in the 21st century.
Additional information on events scheduled in North Dakota can be found at State Historical Societies website at while nationwide activities can be found at
Mandan's Connection to the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial
The "4-cent Lincoln," as the name implies, features President Abraham Lincoln. This stamp was issued to accommodate the August 1, 1958 increase in first-class postage rate after twenty-six years at three cents. Originally issued on November 16, 1954, this red-violet stamp features Lincolns likeness inspired by a portrait by Douglas Volk. First-class postage remained four cents through January 6, 1963, and this stamp was the workhorse during that period.
Abraham Lincoln currently ranks third as the subject of a US postage stamp. Only George Washington and Thomas Jefferson have appeared on more stamp issues.
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The 4-cent Lincoln coil was issued on July 31, 1958, at Mandan. The 4-cent booklet panes were issued at Wheeling, West Virginia, on the same date, as were the 4-cent coil rolls. However first day covers were issued only at the Mandan, ND post office which was singled out for the honor due to the proximity of Fort Abraham Lincoln. "First Day Covers" feature unique artwork known as cachets applied to envelopes affixed with the new postage stamp but only on the date of first of issue and only the select post office(s). These postage FDCs are collected nationally. Six cachets for this stamp are presented above.
