George Washington and Abraham Lincoln have traditionally shared the spotlight as the most popular presidents in U.S. history. But President Barack Obama's historic election and inauguration came just before the country was to celebrate President Lincoln's 200th birthday [February 12th]. Abraham Lincoln's popularity is at an all-time high as the nation's first African-American president regularly draws on the 16th president's words and deeds for inspiration.

VOA's Kane Farabaugh is in Lincoln's hometown of Springfield, Illinois which is capitalizing on that popularity during a week-long birthday celebration.