Hingham Celebrates Lincoln Day [PHOTOS]

The people of Hingham honored Abraham and Benjamin Lincoln on Saturday morning in Hingham Square.

The celebration honored Hingham’s Revolutionary War hero, General Benjamin Lincoln, and President Abraham Lincoln, whose ancestors first settled in Hingham in 1637.

Lincoln Day, which included a ceremony at , a parade down Main Street, and a wreath ceremony at the Lincoln Statue, is now in its 36^th year.

’s Director of Social Studies Jim Kirkcaldy was the Keynote speaker. Kirkcaldy addressed the effect of the 18th century enlightenment on both Lincolns.

“ Slavery clearly showed the impacts of ‘The Enlightenment,’” Kircaldy said. “Benjamin Lincoln actually owned a few slaves but as he witnessed the institutions slavery in the Carolinas, he grew to hate the institution and spoke out against what he describes as ‘an unjustifiable and wicked practice.’”

Kircaldy also explained to Hingham citizens that Abraham Lincoln believed African Americans were as much as human beings as anyone else and were entitled to their liberty and therefore he fought for their rights to pursue happiness.

A parade ,which followed the service at Old Ship Church, featured a color guard from the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company (once commanded by General Lincoln), re-enactors from the Massachusetts 22^nd and 54^th volunteer infantries, as well as representatives of the Society of the Cincinnati, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and the military wing of the Sons of the American Revolution.

For the third year in a row, the eighth grade Lincoln Day essay contest prizes were also presented to students who took a Lincoln quote and applied it to Modern Day Life. Julie Manns received first prize for using Lincolns views on corporate greed and relating it to the current Occupy Movement. Maddie Chan won second prize and Jay Cohen won third in the contest.

Lincoln Day ended at the with a reception provided courtesy of the