In 1942, during WW II, Aaron Copland was commissioned by Andre Kostelanet to write a piece that was a musical portrait of an “eminent American,” Interestingly Lincoln was not his first choice. Persuaded by Kostelanet to choose a political figure, Copland ultimately chose Lincoln over Walt Whitman, a famous American poet.

Abraham was America’s 16th president, serving from March 4, 1861, to April 15, 1865. Lincoln was assassinated 42 days into his second term. Abraham Lincoln had 4 children, all sons.

On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation that declared the freedom of slaves within the confederacy.

From 1892 through 1954, Ellis Island processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers.

According to the National Park Service, more than 40% of immigrants can trace their ancestry back through Ellis Island.

The first immigrant to come through Ellis Island was a 17-year-old girl from Queenstown (Cork), Ireland.

On April 17, 1907, Ellis Island had their busiest day, processing 11, 747 immigrants.