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WUIS "This I Believe"

Lincoln and Humor | hear preview | hear entire show |

How Abraham Lincoln discovered humor and how jokes and tall tales helped him to make a point.

Interviews with two Lincoln experts on how Abraham Lincoln discovered how he could use tall tales and jokes to make a point. And he used the technique… not only in political debates… but also in the courtroom. And Lincoln gathered jokes and stories and re-worked them or embellished the details to fit to situation at hand. Paul Zall wrote a book… “Abe Lincoln Laughing”… which is a compilation of several stories and jokes and sources for them. The other expert… James Cornelius is curator of the Lincoln Collection at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The program also includes a short interview with a Lincoln impersonator… Richard “Fritz” Klein… who talks about his 30 years experience in playing Lincoln. Klein also tells a handful of jokes/stories to set the tone of the program.

first heard on WUIS Feb 9, 2009 at 6:30pm
rebroadcast on WUIS Feb 12, 2009 at 6:30pm
subscribe to the WUIS special productions podcast

Lincoln as a Lawmaker | hear preview | hear entire show |

Vandalia, Illinois

Looking at Lincoln’s time as a member of the Illinois legislature.

This documentary will explore Lincoln's first bid for office, his memorable legislation, his leadership qualities in the legislature and how his days as a member of the General Assembly prepared him for the future. 

Photos from Vandalia, Illinois...
click to see a larger image

(photos taken by Amanda Vinicky)

first heard on WUIS Feb 10, 2009 at 7:00pm
rebroadcast on WUIS Feb 12, 2009 at 8:30pm
subscribe to the WUIS special productions podcast

Lincoln and Campaign Politics | hear preview | hear entire show |

A one-hour program drawn from the 2008 Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series, a discussion of the politics during Abraham Lincoln’s Presidency relating to the anti-war movement, campaign strategies, and interpretations of the U.S. Constitution.

First, a presentation by Dr. Jennifer Weber, Assistant Professor of History at the University of Kansas-Lawrence and author of Copperheads: The Rise and Fall of Lincoln's Opponents in the North, discussing how President Abraham Lincoln dealt with the Copperheads (the anti-war Democrats) in the elections held during the U.S. Civil war and how Lincoln's leadership qualities were brought to bear to influence dissidents and politics.

Then, a presentation by Dr. Silvana Siddali, Associate Professor of History at St. Louis University and author of From Property to Person: Slavery and the Confiscation Acts, 1861-1862, examining how the elections leading up to and during the U.S. Civil War reflected Americans' view of the future of the U.S. Constitution and President Lincoln's power to influence it.

first heard on WUIS Feb 11, 2009 at 8:00pm
rebroadcast on WUIS Feb 12, 2009 at 9:30pm
subscribe to the WUIS special productions podcast

An exploration of just some of Abraham Lincoln’s favorite music and the music of his lifetime.

We’ll explore the music Lincoln loved along with the music he heard throughout his life stretching from childhood … through presidency … and ultimately assassination. We’ll hear some of the musical anecdotes that have been passed down through the years. And we’ll also find out more about period instruments and the origins of mid-nineteenth century popular songs.

Guests include: Chris Vallillo, Erwin Thompson and Todd Cranson.

View the Playlist |

Listen to original interviews:
Chris Vallillo | Erwin Thompson, pt one | Erwin Thompson, pt two |
Todd Cranson, pt one, | Todd Cranson, pt two |

first heard on WUIS Feb 11, 2009 at 7:00pm
rebroadcast on WUIS Feb 12, 2009 at 7:00pm & Feb 13 at 1:00pm
(due to music licensing rights, Lincoln's Music can't be heard via podcast)

Quiddity concludes a two-month Lincoln Legacy Bicentennial celebration.

Lincoln through creative writing —a conversation with professor and novelist Adam Braver, whose works include The Lincoln Wars; also, poems from David Wright and Jim Tolan

first heard on WUIS Jan 7, 2009 at 6:30pm
rebroadcast on WUIS Feb 12, 2009 at 8:00pm & Feb 13 at 2:30pm
subscribe to the Quiddity podcast

Quiddity begins a two-month Lincoln Legacy Bicentennial celebration.

Lincoln as poet and through poetry—a conversation with professor and poet Dan Guillory, whose works include Living with Lincoln and The Lincoln Poems.

first heard on WUIS Feb 4, 2009 at 6:30pm
rebroadcast on WUIS Feb 12, 2009 at 10:30pm & Feb 13 at 2:00pm
subscribe to the Quiddity podcast

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