Obama: Lincoln Bible For Inauguration

President-elect Barack Obama will take the oath of office using the same Bible upon which President Lincoln was sworn in at his first inauguration. Obama will be the first President sworn in using the Lincoln Bible since its initial use in 1861.

"President-elect Obama is deeply honored that the Library of Congress has made the Lincoln Bible available for use during his swearing-in," said Presidential Inaugural Committee Executive Director Emmett Beliveau. "The President-elect is committed to holding an Inauguration that celebrates America's unity, and the use of this historic Bible will provide a powerful connection to our common past and common heritage."

The Bible was originally purchased by William Thomas Carroll, Clerk of the Supreme Court, for use during Lincoln's swearing-in ceremony on March 4, 1861. The Lincoln family Bible, which is also in the Library of Congress's collection, was unavailable for the ceremony because it was packed away with the First Family's belongings, still en route from Springfield, IL, to their new home at the White House.

The Bible itself is bound in burgundy velvet with a gold-washed white metal rim around the three outside edges of both covers. All its edges are heavily gilded. In the center of the top cover is a shield of gold wash over white metal with the words "Holy Bible" chased into it. The book is 15 cm long, 10 cm wide, and 4.5 cm deep when closed. The 1,280-page Bible was published in 1853 by the Oxford University Press.

Annotated in the back of the volume, along with the Seal of the Supreme Court, is the following: "I, William Thomas Carroll, clerk of the said court do hereby certify that the preceding copy of the Holy Bible is that upon which the Honble. R. B. Taney, Chief Justice of the said Court, administered to His Excellency, Abraham Lincoln, the oath of office as President of the United States ..."

Comments

[BarackstarObama]

This is a great idea... did Lincoln use this bible for his 1865 swearing-in also?

[jimme]

It's in the first line of the article. Yes, It is.

[113]

I bet Lincoln never used it 'cause Lincoln was awesome.

[RifRaf]

One hand on the Bible...other hand w/ crossed fingers!

[Aesthete]

Using the Bible for the swearing-in ceremony is a long and hallowed tradition. I'm proud and happy that Obama is using Abraham Lincoln's Bible on this historic occasion. Yes, I know---anti-"religionists" will start whining and complaining because they can't change the culture to their liking or force everyone else to dance to their tune. Well, that's just too bad. I'm sick and tired of some minuscule number of whiners trying to "control" the rest of society just because they can't handle the reminder of God.

[marceriksen]

This isn't just your country it's also the 'anti-religionists' country as well. If the 'anti-religionists' want to fight for a more secular government there shouldn't be anyone whining to them about how using a Bible is a time honored tradition and instead perhaps listen to their arguments. You may learn something.

[Tavat]

"Miniscule number of whiners." If you talked about another minority like that, it wouldn't fly. The non-religious segment of society is the fastest growing "religion" and we are very vocal. Your small-minded comments really just reaffirm how stupid it is to mix religion and politics. Religion is hypocrisy and willful ignorance.

[photon00]

Actually people who are anti-religion will probably be ok with the choice as well given that Lincoln wasn't religious (could have even been an atheist), and was also possibly a homosexual. If this is the reason behind Obama's choice, that's a pretty good choice to walk the line and have something for everyone.

[vjoseph]

As much as I love Obama, I wish he would this whole Lincoln nonsense. We know how the story ended, I do not want a repeat

[RifRaf]

agreed. invoking Lincoln left and right is bound to set ire in a the trigger happy manchurian candidate esque minds of Obama haters.

[Aaryck]

Sometimes you need part II the second coming so the rest of the story can be told. Not necessarily in tragedy.

[JimR]

Is this a good idea? What was Abe's stance on gay marriage?

[jimme]

That's got to be the dumbest reply I've read yet.

[wrenny]

Or maybe just a purposely ironic and funny one.

[DarkandStormyNight]

I really hope he was joking.

[JimR]

1. Get a dictionary

2. Look up "joke"

[Mayoyo]

Illinois is in the house...YEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!!

[StillIRise]

Regardless of Lincoln's personal regard for blacks, a regard he shared with most of his white contemporaries of that era, it was the Civil War - Lincoln's war - that paved the way for the emancipation of slaves. It may have been an unintended consequence, but it happened nonetheless. That marked a turning point in the history of our nation, and Obama's election is marking another turning point. In what turned out to be the war against slavery, Lincoln also placed the union of our country above his own prejudices and self-interests, and this too is what PE Obama will emulate in his presidency as well.

I commend PE Obama for creating this historical reference to his historical inauguration. He's not perfect, and his presidency will not be perfect, but I believe that he is already transforming the consciousness of our nation, of our relationship with one another, and of the way we see ourselves as Americans. He understands the connection between our past, our present and our future, and that this connection connects all of us with a common purpose and hope for the kind of America we want our country to be. He may not be another Abraham Lincoln, but I don't think there will ever be another Barack Obama either, and they will both be remembered as great presidents.

[forty8r]

He will be in office during the 200th birthday of President Lincoln and for the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation as well.

[StillIRise]

The icing on the cake! This is wonderful!

[Takae]

Really? That's pretty cool. Thanks for those reminders.

[Cathyjw52]

BRAVO! Very well written and beautiful! I so agree.

[Weldonn]

SWEARING ON A BIBLE? IS THIS PART OF THE "CHANGE" CAMPAIGN?

SMELLS LIKE THE STENCH OF "SAME" TO ME.

[305Rider]

LOL!

[vjoseph]

Dude, caps lock, do you know that mean?

[jimme]

Okay, I thought I had read the dumbest reply here earlier but you make a case for that title.
Get a life.

[MizJ]

Give it a rest for heaven's sake! He has been compared to everybody now with the exception of Tiny Tim.
Greatness must be earned not conferred and so far he has yet to take the oath. Let him "do something" for once before the canonization takes hold. The oversaturation has been achieved.

[Roma6888]

But but but we were told by the MSM Obama was a "muslim"....

[Dave4ObamaSinceDay1]

So much for separation of church and state...

[Aesthete]

Separation of church and state does not mean that we are to have a Godless society. It only means that the government will not mandate a particular religion or interfere with the practice or expression thereof. On the flip side, I don't want to see a government-mandated "secular" society either.

[TJCole]

That is a fantastic thing, what an honor...!

[donethridge]

The real Undercover Brother. I wonder if the idiots still think he's a Muslim

[StillIRise]

They'll probably now start a rumor that Abraham Lincoln was a Muslim!

[happyboston]

that's awesome b/c i know it means a lot to obama.

but this and the rick warren stuff...hell, all the pastor issues of this past year, just keep reminding me that the separation of church and state is such a farce. no offense to anyone.

-frustrated atheist

[vjoseph]

As an atheist, you should learn the meaning of tolerance. You are no better than fundie Christians

[happyboston]

that is a bit harsh, i'm simply stating my frustration in the nonstop bickering over pastors in politics that's been going on for the past year.

[Aesthete]

Religion is a hardwired need of most of the human species and is prevalent in every culture. So-called "separation of church and state" does not mean America should now become a totally Godless society. It is not possible to separate people from their beliefs no matter how hard one might try it. I certainly would not want to see government-mandated secularism where freedom to express one's religious beliefs is taken away.

[happyboston]

i know most people believe in god, i'm not a scrooge that's trying to take that away from them. i would like someone to represent my voice, too.

[escobar]

Nothing could be more perfect.
Both men are inheriting a deeply divided nation on the brink of disaster.
Sedition is rampant.
The future of the Union hangs in the balance.
Racists and greedy men are out to ruin everything good about the country.