Widely considered the turning point for the still-obscure Illinois senator, Abraham Lincoln’s forceful appearance in The Cooper Union’s Great Hall 150 years ago is credited with helping him secure the nomination for president. Great Evenings in The Great Hall, The Cooper Union’s dynamic performance series celebrating its 150th anniversary, will offer a powerful finale by recreating one of the most influential presentations ever given: Lincoln’s pivotal Right Makes Might speech from 1860.

Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, The Goodbye Girl, Close Encounters), Tony, Obie and Drama Desk honoree Andre De Shields (The Wiz, The Full Monty,) and Tony nominee and film actor Stephen Lang (The Speed of Darkness, Avatar) will voice the stirring words that changed a nation. Lincoln scholar and co-chairman of the United States Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Harold Holzer will introduce the evening filled with fiery oration and period music. Michael Unger will direct this free performance.

“Abraham Lincoln: Right makes Might&#8221 takes place on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 6:30 PM at The Cooper Union, New York City. The event is free, however tickets are required. Distribution will begin at 4 p.m. in front of Cooper Union’s Foundation Building (East 7th St. b/w 3rd and 4th Aves) on a first-come, first-served basis.

In memory of John Jay Iselin, 10th President of The Cooper Union, this program is the second annual John Jay Iselin lecture, a collaboration of The Cooper Union and the New York State Archives Partnership Trust.

For more information, visit http://www.cooper.edu, call 212.353.4195 or email [email protected].

Photo: Photo of Abraham Lincoln taken February 27, 1860 in New York City by Mathew Brady, the day of his famous Cooper Union speech.