President’s Day, a lesson on Illinois and the Office

President’s Day is a perfect day to learn about the history of the great men who have called Illinois home. 

President’s Day is celebrated on the third Monday of every February to honor all persons who have served as the president of the United States. Originally, the holiday began just a few months after George Washington’s death, as a way to celebrate Washington’s life. In 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes made the date (February 22) a Federal, legal holiday. Over time, it has evolved into a day to honor all former U.S. presidents. 

Illinois and the Office of the President 

Illinois State has a particularly strong relationship with several former presidents including Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama. Each, in their own way, has had a hand in shaping the America that we know and love today.  

Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky but was raised in Illinois, where he moved with his family as a child. “To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything,” said Lincoln about his hometown. Today tributes to President Lincoln exist throughout the state. If you’re in Chicago, you can take a three-hour train ride to Lincoln’s hometown of Springfield on The Lincoln Service with Amtrak, (https://amtrakguide.com/routes/lincoln-service/) from Union Station. There’s plenty to explore in Springfield, starting with Lincoln’s home, tomb, library and law office.  And, since Springfield is our state capital, you can also explore the capital building, the state library and state museum.  You’ll also find loads of Route 66 experiences, the Illinois Fire Museum, the Air Combat Museum, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed house, the Dana-Thomas Home, and so much more.   (https://visitspringfieldillinois.com/LocationSearches/SitesAndAttractions)

Grant

While Ulysses S. Grant wasn’t born or raised in Illinois, he did choose to live in Illinois after his military career ended.  Upon retirement, he joined his fathers leather goods store on Main Street in Galena, Illinois.  He worked there for several years, struggling financially, until the start of the Civil War.  He re-enlisted in the Army and ultimately defeated Lee at Appomattox, winning the Civil War.  When he returned to Galena as the first four star General of the Army, the local war hero was gifted with an Italianate-style home.  Shortly thereafter, he ran for office, defeating Johnson to become the 18th President of the United States.  You can visit his Galena home today, still containing the furnishings of Grant and his family.     

https://www.granthome.org/grant-home/

Reagan

Ronald Reagan has a museum in the town where he was born, Tampico. You can also visit some Reagan  sites at his alma mater, Eureka College and, there’s a driving trail you can follow, as well. 

https://www.enjoyillinois.com/explore/listing/ronald-reagan-trail

Obama

Like Lincoln, Barack Obama was born in a different state -Hawaii.  However, he spent most of his adult life inChicago and even as an Illinois senator, before becoming President.It’s not open yet, but Obama selected a 19.3-acre site in Jackson Park (in Chicago) as the location to build “The Obama Presidential Center.” This is the same park where the 1893 World’s Fair was held.  Architects Billie Tsien and Todd Williams designed the space, which also includes extensive community participation. 

According to Marty Nesbitt, Chair of the Obama Foundation, “The Obama’s want to create a safe, warm, inviting place that brings people in, teaches them something new and inspires them to create change in their own communities.  The Center will be a place for doing, not just looking or listening.”   They broke ground on the Obama Presidential Center in late 2021, with plans for it to open in late 2022 or early 2023. (architecture.org) This President’s Day, celebrate those  who built this great nation by exploring the Illinois connections to  our political history.