Lincoln's new year celebrations evolved over time

By Tom Emery

During much of Abraham Lincoln’s lifetime, the New Year’s holiday was a bigger deal than Christmas. His celebrations of January 1 evolved with his rise to fame.

As a young backwoodsman, Lincoln did little to ring in the new year, and as he grew to prominence in Springfield, he often worked on January 1. As President, however, he was part of a big celebration, as the annual New Year’s reception was a major event on the White House calendar.

New Year’s Day in 1863, however, was a defining moment in the Lincoln Presidency, as the Emancipation Proclamation took effect. “He saved the U...