FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 2, 2009

 Presidents' Day Power Play in Washington, DC

(Washington, DC)...With Presidents Day just around the corner, Washington, DC is building on the Lincoln-Obama connections to inspire travelers to visit the President’s new home town, DC’s citywide Lincoln Bicentennial celebration continues through April, with major events and happenings taking place on and around Lincoln’s 200th birthday. 

Presidents' Day & Lincoln’s Birthday Happenings

• Ford’s Theatre reopens in February after 18 months of renovations. The party begins on Feb. 3 with the premiere of The Heavens are Hung in Black, a new production chronicling the end of Lincoln’s life, running through March 8. Ford’s will hold its  Grand Reopening Celebration on Feb. 11, followed by the Lincoln Bicentennial Commemoration on Feb. 12 and the theatre Open House and Lincoln Birthday Celebration on Feb. 16.
• The national Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission will host a world-class concert and entertainment special and wreath laying ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial on Feb. 12 in honor of Lincoln’s birthday. Nineteenth century popular and patriotic music will be performed by outstanding military bands at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall.
• The National Archives will display the original Emancipation Proclamation from Feb. 12-16 in the East Rotunda Gallery.
• With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition opens at the Library of Congress on Feb. 12, offering the public the opportunity to view rarely seen treasures from the Library’s collections. The exhibit will include letters, photographs, political cartoons, period engravings, speeches, and artifacts from Lincoln’s personal and political life, including the Bible used by Barack Obama in his inauguration.
• Special exhibitions also open at the National Gallery of Art, exploring the design and construction of the Lincoln Memorial, President Lincoln’s Cottage, and the National Museum of Health and Medicine, where visitors can view artifacts linked to Lincoln’s assassination, including the bullet that took his life.

Although Lincoln’s 200th birthday gets top billing, Presidents Day also provides an opportunity to pay tribute to other past leaders with programs at other institutions. At Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, guests enjoy free admission to the home and gardens, a  wreath-laying ceremony,  a performance by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and a parade featuring colonial music and heritage breed animals The White House Visitor Center will offer free programs led by the National Park Service, including craft, games performances, from 10am-3pm. The annual George Washington Birthday Parade is held in Alexandria, VA and part of a day-long list of activities, including guided walking tours, a 10k race, cherry-inspired foods, war reenactments, and a wreath-laying ceremony.