Today I read President-elect Barack Obama will take the Oath of Office January 20, 2009 using the Lincoln Bible. I’m not talking about a versioning of the bible with a Lincoln-like writing style, but the 16th President’s own bible in which he laid his hand when he took the Oath of Office in 1861. The bible is in the collections of the Library of Congress.

2009 is also the Bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth.

This brings me to another Lincoln-themed event in January. WHUT (Howard University Television) is looking for 120 teachers to participate in their Looking For Lincoln Teacher Training Workshop Saturday, January 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the WHUT television studios (2222 Fourth Street, NW, Washington, DC). The workshop is FREE and includes lunch, giveaways, and a doorprize.
The workshop introduces the upcoming PBS broadcast of “Looking For Lincoln” as a classroom tool. The documentary is scheduled for national broadcast in February 2009.

“Looking For Lincoln” explores the life and legacy of the man widely considered one of our best and most enigmatic presidents. The documentary, hosted by Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (African American Lives, Oprah’s Roots), addresses many of the controversies surrounding Lincoln – race, equality, religion, politics, and depression – by carefully interpreting evidence from those who knew him and those who study him today. A companion book is also available.

The workshop includes:
– Keynote address by Dr. Edna Greene Medford, Lincoln expert and prominent member of Howard University Department of History.

– Overview of LOOKING FOR LINCOLN broadcast program and website.

– Lunch

– Hands-on lesson plan demonstration.

To find out more about the teacher workshop and to register, go to http://www.whut.org/lincoln.htm. Or email lincolnwhut@gmail.com, or call 202-806-3059

Registration is due January 16, 2009.