I touched on this in the Bits O' History entry, but here is more detail.
The December 24, 2008, Chicago Tribune had an article by John McCormick in regards to the Bible he will be sworn in as president on Jan. 20th. It will be the same one Abraham Lincoln used for his first inauguration in 1861. This is in keeping with Presisdent-Elect Obama's practice of encouraging comparisons (though neither were born in Illinois, they are both from Illinois as well).
When he announced he was running for president in Feb. 2007, he did it in front of the old state capitol building where Lincoln served. He also announced his vice presidential pick there as well. I'm surprised he didn't hold his acceptance celebration there as well.
He will also take a train to Washington, DC, for his inaugural.
He will be the first president to use this Bible, which is usually located in the Library of Congress. This was not the Lincoln family Bible which had been packed away among belongings which were being shipped to the White House.
This one was originally purchased by William Thomas Carroll, clerk of the Supreme Court, for the March 4, 1861 ceremony. It is described as being printed by the Oxford University Press in 1853 and bound in heavily gilded burgundy velvet.
Incoming presidents are not required to be sworn in on a Bible, but most do, often using their family Bible.
One More Lincoln Connection. --Coot
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