1861 - Inauguration

Resources for Teachers

• Succession and Inauguration: Collection Connection for Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress. 
• Lincoln's 1861 Inaugural I Do Solemnly Swear American Treasures Exhibition. 
• Lincoln's First Inaugural Address: American Treasures of the Library of Congress Top Treasures Exhibition. 
• We Must not be Enemies: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address. Help students understand the historical context and significance of Lincoln's inaugural address through Library of Congress archival documents in this lesson plan by Edsitement. 
• The First Inaugural Address (1861) Defending the American Union. Another lesson plan from Edsitement that will examine Lincoln's first inaugural address to understand why he thought his duty as president required him to treat secession as an act of rebellion.  

Resources for Students

• Today in History: March 4: Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural.  
• Jump Back in Time Abraham Lincoln's Inauguration, March 4, 1861 from America's Library.  

Library of Congress Primary Sources

• The inaugural procession at Washington passing the gates of the Capitol grounds-from a sketch from our special artist: American Memory 
• Inauguration of President Lincoln at U.S. Capitol, March 04, 1861: Prints and Photographs 
• Inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, 4 March 1861: American Memory 
• Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln-March 4, 1861: Prints and Photographs 
• 4 March 1861: Inauguration of Mr. Lincoln: Prints and Photographs 
• Inauguration ball at Washington, 4 March 1861-superb costumes of distinguished ladies present on that brillant occassion/from sketches by our special artists: Prints and Photographs 
• Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln on the East Front of the Capitol: Prints and Photographs 
• Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln entering the Senate Chamber before the Inauguration: Prints and Photographs 
• Abraham Lincoln in Willard's Hotel in Washington, on the eve of his inauguration, sitting by the fireplace, friendless and solitary, holding newspaper; March 1861: Prints and Photographs 
• Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, showing the Capitol with dome under construction: Prints and Photographs 
• Unused copy of the dance cards prepared for the Union Ball in honor of the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln on March 4, 1861: cover: Prints and Photographs 
• Usused copy of the dance cards prepared for the Union Ball in honor of the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln on March 4, 1861: inside, program on one side, engagement on other: Prints and Photographs 
• Almira Lincoln Phelps to Abraham Lincoln, Wednesday, January 23, 1861 (Rumor of preventing the inauguration): American Memory 
• Solomon Foot to Mary Todd Lincoln, Sunday, March 3, 1861 (Arrangements for inauguration): American Memory 
• Joshua R. Giddings to Abraham Lincoln, Tuesday, January 01, 1861 (Action to insure Lincoln's inauguration): American Memory 
• Winfield Scott to Abraham Lincoln, January 4 (1861) (Preparation for Lincoln's inauguration and military affairs): American Memory 
• James H. Van Alen to Abraham Lincoln, Friday, January 04, 1861 (Suggest Lincoln travel to Washington immediately because of plot to prevent inauguration): American Memory 
• Montgomery Blair to Abraham Lincoln, Saturday, December 08, 1860 (Invites Lincoln to stay with him in Washington): American Memory 
• Wisconsin Officials to Abraham Lincoln, January 1861 (Recommend bodyguard): American Memory  
• John Bigelow to Abraham Lincoln, Saturday, December 29, 1860 (Advises Lincoln to go to Washington): American Memory 
• Joseph Medill to Abraham Lincoln, Monday, December 31, 1860 (Urges Lincoln to come to Washington very soon): American Memory 
• Zenas C. Robbins to Abraham Lincoln, Thursday, October 18, 1860 (Invites Lincoln to stay with him in Washington): American Memory 
• Julia Matie to Mrs. A.M. Thomas, Tuesday, January 08, 1861 (Opposes Lincoln's inauguration. Addendum written by B. Todd, May 13, 1863): American Memory 
• P.W. Curtenius to Abraham Lincoln, Monday, December 31, 1860 (Offers citizen soldiers to assist with Inauguration): American Memory 
• George P. Bissell to Abraham Lincoln, Sunday, December 30, 1860 (Hartford Wide Awakes ready to insure inauguration): American Memory 
• John A. Gurley to Abraham Lincoln, Monday, December 31, 1860 (Cabinet appointments and alleged plot to prevent inauguration): American Memory 
• Abraham Lincoln, (February-March 1861) (First Inaugural Address, Second Printed Draft, with Changes in Lincoln's Hand): American Memory 
• Abraham Lincoln (January-February 1861) (First Inagural Address, First Printed Draft): American Memory  
• Abraham Lincoln (February 1861) (First Inaugural Address, Second Printed Draft with Line Numbers Added by William H. Seward): American Memory 
• Abraham Lincoln (February-March 1861) (First Inaugural Address, Second Printed Draft, with Seward's Suggested Changes in Red Ink): American Memory 
• Abraham Lincoln (January-February 1861) (First Inaugural Address, First Printed Draft, With Revisions in Lincoln's Hand: American Memory 
• Abraham Lincoln (March 1861) (First Inaugural Address, Final Version): American Memory  

Other Resources

• First Inaugural Address
• National Center for Public Policy Research  
• Yale University Avalon Project  
• Wikipedia Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln%27s_first_inaugural_address