The Abraham Lincoln Association will mark Lincoln's 217th birthday with a banquet at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield, Ill., on Feb. 12 and a symposium the following day, also at the hotel. The ALA is co-sponsor of this website, so the discussions will focus on Lincoln's devotion to the message of the Declaration of Independence.

Join the Abraham Lincoln Institute for its annual free symposium at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. This year's theme for the program, which runs from 9;30 a.m. to about 5 p.m., is Lincoln's commitment to the promise of the Declaration of Independence. Speakers include some big names.