Lincoln former residence hang

During my stay in the United States last spring and summer, on my way back from Chicago to Kansas City, I specially passed Lincoln's hometown Springfield, a small town in central Illinois.

I remember it was a Sunday afternoon, and we drove about 350 kilometers southwest from Chicago along Highway 55 to Springfield. It was near dusk when we arrived. Justin, an American friend who accompanied us, led us to walk to Lincoln's former residence at South Seventh Street 126 in the city center.

Springfield, also known as Springfield, is the capital of Illinois. The city is small, without the noise and high-rise buildings of Chicago circuit, and the architectural style is simple. Generous and tall European churches and castle-like state capitol buildings with high domes make people stop and linger. The streets in the city are clean and tidy, there are few pedestrians, and the whole city is quiet. After walking for more than ten minutes, we came to a two-story building with white walls and green windows. Justin told us that this is Lincoln's former residence, the only property owned by Lincoln, which was donated by Lincoln's son to the Illinois government for permanent preservation and free to the public. Looking around, the golden sun shines on the outer wall of Lincoln's former residence. The four intersections around the former residence have been planned as national monuments, and the original appearance of the streets and all houses has been completely preserved. At first glance, the empty block in front of the former residence looks like a Little Square of the former residence, which makes the former residence more prominent, with warm and bright colors and elegant architecture. Because I missed the visit time, the visit to the former residence was closed, so I had to wander in front of it. During this period, I saw several tourists sitting on the steps in front of Lincoln's former residence, feeling and recalling Lincoln's story quietly like us. ...

1February, 809 12, Lincoln was born in a remote ravine in Hodghenville, western Kentucky. His father is a simple and kind carpenter and his parents are descendants of British immigrants. Lincoln's mother died of illness when he was 9 years old. Lincoln was poor when he was a child, and he didn't have a regular job until he was 25. To make a living, he worked as a shop assistant, sailor, village postman, surveyor and lumberjack. 1837 Lincoln rode a borrowed horse and came to Springfield with all his belongings. He hasn't been to school for a long time. Lincoln himself once said, "I have been in school for less than a year in my life." However, Lincoln was diligent and studious. When he was young, he read all Shakespeare's works, American history and many other books on history, philosophy and literature. He has an excellent memory and a clear tongue. Lincoln, height 193cm, made himself a knowledgeable and intelligent person through self-study. At the age of 25, he was elected to the Illinois Senate, managed the rural post office and engaged in land survey. From 65438 to 0836, I was admitted to the lawyer's license and became a lawyer. He soon became the leader of the Hui Revolutionary Party in the state legislature and lived and grew up in Springfield for 24 years. 1846 Lincoln, 37, was elected as a member of the US House of Representatives. After long-term tempering, many role changes and political ups and downs, Lincoln was elected as the 16 th president of the United States in 1860, which was the first time that the * * * and the Party came to power. Lincoln moved from Springfield to the White House. 1862 In September, Lincoln personally drafted the Emancipation Proclamation (Draft), which was signed and promulgated in the following year (65438+ 10). 1864 put forward the slogan of "for the people, by the people and for the people". 1865 won the civil war, safeguarded the unity of the United States, and opened the way for the United States to become the world's number one industrial power in the19th century. Known as the "great liberator", it has won high praise from the American people and the world. Karl Marx, the mentor of the capitalist revolution, spoke highly of Lincoln, saying: "He is a man who will not be intimidated by difficulties and confused by success. He is indomitable towards his great goal ... He is an extremely rare figure, reaching a great level, but still maintaining good quality. "

In the center of Springfield, there are Lincoln Museum, Lincoln's law firm and state capitol. Clean streets, silent cities, ancient buildings, statues of Lincoln can be seen along the street, and Lincoln's footprints can be seen everywhere. No wonder some people call Springfield "Lincoln City". The simple and rich Springfield upbringing created Lincoln, and Lincoln also promoted and expanded his beloved second hometown. During his presidency, Lincoln repeatedly mentioned that he would return to Springfield to continue to be a lawyer after leaving office. He is full of infinite love and deep attachment to Springfield's vegetation and landscape.

At sunset, we left the city center and drove less than 10 minutes to the northern suburb of the city, and went to Oak Ridge Cemetery to visit Lincoln Cemetery. The cemetery is solemn, surrounded by green trees and green grass. The sunset glow reflects Lincoln's towering tombstone, where Lincoln sleeps. 1865 On the evening of April 14, Lincoln died the day after he was assassinated at the Ford Theater in Washington. He was the first American president to be assassinated. Lincoln's unfortunate death caused great shock at home and abroad, and the American people deeply mourned him. More than 7 million people stopped on both sides of the road to pay tribute to the funeral procession, and 6.5438+0.5 million people paid tribute to Lincoln's body. Know a husband like a wife. At the request of his wife Mary, Lincoln was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery. He returned to Springfield, where he was often troubled by dreams. Later, Mrs Lincoln and their three dead sons were also buried in Lincoln Cemetery. At Oak Ridge Cemetery, I saw the graves of local residents around Lincoln Cemetery. Not far from Lincoln Cemetery, there are some residential buildings. It's hard for me to understand that the cemetery is so close to the residential buildings? This is obviously different in China, where most houses are built around cemeteries. Think about it later, maybe this is the obvious gap between Americans and China people in funeral culture.

In the twilight, we slowly left Lincoln Cemetery, and the towering Lincoln tombstone gradually blurred, but the houses adjacent to the cemetery became clearer and clearer. At this moment, my thoughts keep rolling:1For more than 50 years, the people of Springfield have been with Lincoln, and generations of local people have been piously and meticulously guarding the proud and brilliant name of Springfield-abraham lincoln!

20 17.8.23 (Chongqing)