The Government of B.C. invites British Columbians to share their personal stories or connections related to the legacy of former U.S. president Abraham Lincoln.

In 1865, there was widespread grief in B.C. at the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. On the 150th anniversary of his death, British Columbians are asked to participate in the international commemoration of his life and legacy.

Sam Sullivan, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek, is engaging with British Columbians to consider and share their stories about Abraham Lincoln. In particular, Sullivan invites submissions from those whose heritage is linked with the legacy he created.

Submissions to the Province’s Abraham Lincoln Legacy engagement website will inform a letter for the Abraham Lincoln online exhibit marking the anniversary of Lincoln’s death.

In the fall of 2014, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum asked Premier Christy Clark to prepare a letter that reflects on the meaning of Abraham Lincoln and his legacy to British Columbians. To ensure the letter is truly reflective of British Columbia’s unique perspective, the Abraham Lincoln Legacy website is an engagement opportunity for all British Columbians to collaborate and share their stories.

(flickr.com)

There are several ways to participate:

• Comment on MLA Sam Sullivan’s blog posts through the Abraham Lincoln Legacy engagement website: engage.gov.bc.ca/abrahamlincolnlegacy
• Email stories, thoughts, comments or submissions directly to: citizenengagement@gov.bc.ca
• Mail a letter to: Lincoln’s Legacy, PO Box 9029, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, B.C. V8V 9L9
• Send a video or audio recording by email: citizenengagement@gov.bc.ca

Sullivan will be talking with British Columbians and collecting their comments and stories throughout February, which is also Black History month.

Submissions will be accepted until end of day on Feb. 28, 2015.

Quotes:

MLA for Vancouver-False Creek Sam Sullivan -

“The Abraham Lincoln Legacy project is a wonderful opportunity for British Columbians to share their stories and a slice of history with the rest of the province and with the Lincoln Digital Library.”

“It’s important to recognize how the legacy of Lincoln, the civil war and the civil rights movement affected British Columbians and helped shape our communities today. I hope that everyone with a story to share will participate in this important dialogue.”

President of the Black History Awareness Society, Mavis DeGirolamo -

“British Columbia has a strong, historical interest in the legacy of Abraham Lincoln. This project is an opportunity for British Columbians to share their stories and to learn how our black pioneers helped to build the culture of diversity we enjoy today.

“The actions of one man 150 years ago are still felt in our communities. I look forward to seeing history come alive through the stories of British Columbians within the Abraham Lincoln Legacy project.”

Quick Facts:

• Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865.
• Lincoln led the United States through the Civil War and is known as the president who preserved the union and abolished slavery, providing the foundation for the civil rights movement in the U.S. nearly 100 years later.
• On April 15, 1865, Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a confederate sympathizer.

Learn More:

To learn more or to submit your story online, please visit the Lincoln Legacy website: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/abrahamlincolnlegacy/

If you have an event during Black History Month, please share the Abraham Lincoln Legacy project poster: http://ow.ly/Ifl0m

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
250 889-3922