Today is the day that both the House and Senate hold “Lincoln Day” programs, an annual event commemorating President Abraham Lincoln. In the House this morning, members staged a re-enactment of the debate and passage of the Morrill Act, the Land-Grant College Act of 1862, which made land grants to states to found colleges specializing in “agriculture and the mechanic arts,” which became known as colleges for “the common man.” Among those was the University of Idaho, which graduated its first class in 1896 – two women and two men.

The House’s program, chaired by Rep. Caroline Nilsson Troy, R-Genessee, included numerous House members portraying members of the 1862 Congress during the debate, along with historical context about the act and its impact.  It also included music from the Boise High School Band Trio.

In the Senate, today’s ceremony will include remarks from Sen. Carl Crabtree, quotes presented by Senate pages, and singing of “America the Beautiful” by Emma Packer of Weiser.