“More words have been written about him than about any other American. In fact, more words have been written about him, it’s been estimated, than about any other figure in the history of the world with the exception of Jesus.”
—New York Times book critic Michiko Kakutani on Abraham Lincoln
November 6, 2010, is 150 years to the day that Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th President of the United States.
We wanted to mark this event, and to introduce Disunion, a new series on the Civil War from the Opinionator blog that features primary sources and engaging writing:
One-hundred-and-fifty years ago, Americans went to war with themselves. Disunion revisits and reconsiders America’s most perilous period — using contemporary accounts, diaries, images and historical assessments to follow the Civil War as it unfolded.
As always, after you’ve looked at the various lessons, multimedia and other Times and Learning Network links below, let us know how you teach the Civil War.
You can tell us here, or, if you use The Times to teach the era, consider writing in to our Great Ideas From Readers series.
Lessons on Lincoln and the Civil War
- Blogging History
Interpreting Civil War Era Primary Sources - No Rest for the Weary
Examining Critical Years During Lincoln’s Presidency - Two Generals, Many Perspectives
Exploring the Changing Legacies of General Grant and General Lee - A Tough Act to Re-enact
Bringing Historical Action Back to Life
Lessons on Slavery
- Facing the Ghosts of Our Past
Writing Narrative Reflections on the Civil War and Slavery - Held Accountable
Connecting Accounts from Slave Narratives to Historical Research - Of Human Bondage
Exploring Perspectives on Slavery During the Civil War Using Primary and Secondary Sources - Midnight Train to Freedom
Examining the Underground Railroad by Creating a Museum Book - I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Evaluating the Differences between Oral and Written History - Revealing Untold Stories
Examining Depictions of Slavery as Presented in a Variety of Texts - The Fabric of History
Depicting African American History Through Quilts - Dedication to Douglass
Designing Historically Accurate Monuments to Frederick Douglass - Stateside Slavery
Addressing Slavery’s Past on This Side of the Atlantic
Related History and Civics Lessons
- It’s Alive!
Bringing History to Life by Creating Hands-On Museum Exhibits - Give Me Liberty or Give Me Freedom
Analyzing the History, Culture, and Politics of the Words “Liberty” and “Freedom” - Divided We Stand
Investigating the 2000 Elections and Other Historic Issues That Have Divided America - Perks and Perils
Analyzing the Lives of White House Children - An Oath for the Ages
Examining Presidential Inaugural Addresses of the Past to Understand Barack Obama’s January 20, 2009 Address - Taking Them On Faith?
Investigating the Relationship Between U.S. Presidents and Religion - Save the Dates
Creating Annotated Timelines of Important Dates in American History - Remembrance of Things Past
Exploring the Power of Words Through the Speeches of American Presidents
Student Crosswords
Historical Times Articles
- Article: Lincoln’s First Inauguration
From March 5, 1861 - Article: The Emancipation Proclamation
From January 3, 1863 - Article: The Gettysburg Address
From November 20, 1863 - Article: Lincoln’s Second Inauguration
From March 5, 1865 - Article: Lincoln Shot
From April 15, 1865 - Article: Lincoln’s Legacy
From February 1, 1909
Historical Times Front Pages
- Abraham Lincoln Elected President
November 6, 1860 - The Emancipation Proclamation
From September 22, 1862 - The Gettysburg Address
November 19, 1863 - Gen. Sherman: Savannah Ours
December 12, 1864 - Lincoln Shot
April 14, 1865
