The very talented sculptress from Christian College in Columbia, Vinnie Ream, at age 18 was given the commission by Congress to sculpt the statue of Abraham Lincoln to stand in the National Capital Rotunda. The famous statue was unveiled on this day.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.