Today is Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday. It is said that Lincoln didn’t talk much about religion, even with his closest friends, and he didn’t belong to any church. Instead, he said, “When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion.”

President A. Lincoln reading the Bible to his son, Tad, 1864. Photograph by Anthony Berger. Courtesy Library of Congress

Smithsonian magazine has put together a comprehensive look at the life of Abraham Lincoln. Take a look—we found that it is full of interesting facts and great articles. The journey begins with a fascinating multimedia timeline of his life and work.

To experience the life of Lincoln firsthand, click here.

Browse our recommended books about Lincoln here.

Click here to order the special Lincoln issue of Smithsonian magazine.

As we celebrate the life of Lincoln here at the Smithsonian Institution, Study Leader Ed Bearss follows in the footsteps of actor John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln’s assassin.  Watch a clip of Stories from the Vaults host Tom Cavanaugh trying to keep up, courtesy of the Smithsonian Channel.

If you plan to be near Washington, D.C. anytime soon, click here to see a list of Lincoln-related events.

Video: Courtesy of Smithsonian Channel

Photo by Mathew Brady. Courtesy the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

On February 27, 1860, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech in New York City that convinced his audience that he was a serious constitutional thinker and an eloquent representative for the Republican party. Before the speech, he had his portrait taken by Mathew Brady, a portrait that became known as the “photograph that made Lincoln president.”

Smithsonian Journeys travelers have enjoyed exploring the past with Civil War historian Ed Bearss, walking the battlefields in real time, picnicking where Union soldiers did, and walking the trails of everyone from presidents to political prisoners. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ed on Smithsonian tours for many years, and, as the Smithsonian Institution prepares to celebrate Lincoln’s 200th birthday, I recently sat down with Ed to talk about Lincoln’s time in Washington. – Patrick Wagner

Patrick Wagner: Lincoln was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1846 when he was 39 years old. What was his experience as a freshman congressman in Washington, D.C.?  

Photo: Robert C. Lautman and the Todd family photo album

Ed Bearss: Lincoln spent two sessions in the 30th United States Congress. In the first session, he was accompanied by his wife Mary Todd and his son Robert. En route to Washington, they made a lengthy visit with Mary’s family in Lexington, Kentucky, where Lincoln got better acquainted with Mary’s father, stepmother, and other Lexington friends. But for his second session of Congress, Mary Todd did not come to Washington. For this trip, Lincoln lived in a modest rooming house with other members of Congress and took his meals at a common table in the establishment. (more…)