"Emancipation Proclamation" These two words have an immense power which made a huge historical change. The black past was changed into a new reform by the powerful personality - Abraham Lincoln almost single handed and with high spirits!
Yes the Legend "Abby" belonged partially to Illinois as the birthplace is in Kentucky. He formed the real base of America - The U.S.A!! Equality - One of the four foundations of U.S constitutions. Due to the "Emaciation Proclamation" slavery came to an end at the cost of many lives (Including Abby's own), civil war and oppositions.....
His real presidential journey started from Illinois and that's why the state tag line is - Illinois - The Land of Lincoln.
SPRINGFIELD
Situated 200 miles south from Chicago on I-55 S - Springfield is the state capitol of Illinois; turned into Museums and a historical place under National Park Service in Lincoln's memory.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library is the must visit place to unfold "Abby's journey" right from his childhood to his Presidential post.
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| Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library |
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| Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum |
Abraham Lincoln's Home is turned into a National Historic Site and which requires a prior admission pass which is free. That can be obtained at the Visitor's Center preferably early in the morning. Last batch is at 4:30 pm. The tour duration is 30 minutes.
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| Lincoln's Home |
En route is his Law office named Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices where he used to practice with his partner. The same is turned into State Historical Site.
The life of President Abraham Lincoln was tragically cut short by an assassin's bullet on April 15, 1865,. At the wishes of his loving wife Mary, his remains were returned to his home town of Springfield, Illinois. The Lincoln Monument in Oak Ridge Cemetery also known as Lincoln Tomb was erected to preserve the memory of President Lincoln's selfless dedication to preserving the United States of America.
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| Lincon's Tomb |
URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
Urbana - Champaign 136 Miles south from Chicago on I-57 S are the twin cities crowned with a renowned university UIUC - University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Ranked 2nd for Agriculture & Civil Engineering, Materials, Engineering Physics and ranked 5th for Computer Science within the USA. The University is also blessed with more than 23 Nobel Laureates. It's always a great pleasure & proud moment to witness the Gradwalk Ceremony of such top ranked university.....
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| UIUC Memorial Stedium |
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| 2014 May Gradwalk Ceremony |
The origin of Hybrid Corn - Sweet Corn lies in UIUC. Professor John Laughnan is the key man behind it. Those "Marrow Plots" for Hybrid - Sweet Corn is a patented, restricted specific land area inside the UIUC Campus.
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| Statue of ALMA MATER |
The Thomas Siebel Center for Computer Science is another must place to visit for the Engineers and would be Engineers. One can find the very initial PCBs'and VLSI Chips and it's evolution till the date. It's a real interesting journey of Computer and Instrumentation revealed from beginning till the date.....
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| Siebel Center |
Another interesting initiative taken by the UIUC is the establishment of Research Park. Many well known INCs' have their set ups in Research Park like Yahoo, John Deer, Sony....
Being a university town; books are worshiped with utmost respect!Libraries are the veins for Urbana - Champaign residents! There are three public libraries. Champaign Public Library, Urbana Public Library and Douglas branch of Champaign Public Library. The libraries are up to date. Champaign Library has time capsule to be opened in 2076....
Libraries keep showering and throwing treats of attractive programs, workshops, music events right from newborn to old folks & most of them are free of cost like art and craft workshops, Lost / extinguishing music instruments introduction across globe and variety language meetups, kids programs, Jazz orchestra and multi cultural eves, Sky-watch programs.
Book Sale by Champaign public library friends is another good initiative where one can buy the books at a very low price and interested library friends can donate books.
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| Urbana free Library |
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| Champaign Public Library |
Parks come under the "Must have" list for any district! To name few and most visited are Hazel Park and Anita Purves Nature Center.
On the Food front how one can miss 'Jarlings' . The custard cup shop is vary famous for it's home-made touch and taste, freshness and unique creamy texture. But the spot is opened only for limited period (from End of Spring to Fall.)
To sum up the twin city tale - Urbana-Champaign is the place for those who are keen to have a good short break at a convenient distance from Chicago.
On the Food front how one can miss 'Jarlings' . The custard cup shop is vary famous for it's home-made touch and taste, freshness and unique creamy texture. But the spot is opened only for limited period (from End of Spring to Fall.)
To sum up the twin city tale - Urbana-Champaign is the place for those who are keen to have a good short break at a convenient distance from Chicago.
