Today in History: Abraham Lincoln's Cooper Union Speech

Today in History–February 27–the Primary Source Nexus features Abraham Lincoln’s Cooper Union speech, delivered on this date in 1860 at the Cooper Institute in New York City. This lengthy speech is widely believed to have helped Lincoln secure the Republican nomination for the U.S. presidency. Click the links below to access the speech and related resources.

Address at Cooper Institute by Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln before delivering his Cooper Union address in New York City

A Speech Delivered at the Cooper Institute Last evening by Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois New York Daily Tribune February 28, 1860

Ad for pamphlet copy of Lincoln’s speech at the Cooper Institute The Press and Tribune (Chicago, Ill.), April 9, 1860 (top left)

Letter from Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln March 4, 1860 | transcript

Letter from B.F. Lemen to Abraham Lincoln about his Cooper Union speech April 1, 1860 | transcript

Letter from James A. Hamilton to Abraham Lincoln about his Cooper Union speech July 18, 1860 | transcript

Abraham Lincoln: Rise to National Prominence primary source set | teacher guide

Excerpt from Lincoln at Cooper Union : the speech that made Abraham Lincoln president by Harold Holzer

And that’s the way it was: February 27, 1860 Columbia Journalism Review