A discussion was held on the expansion of executive power during a time of war. President Lincoln's successors have raised much more controversy than he did as they have sought to expand presidential power in the name of safeguarding the nation. The panelists also responded to questions from members of the audience. Harry Rubenstein moderated.

The program "The War President: Lincoln and the Expansion of Presidential Power during Wartime" was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, 2010, in the Carmichael Auditorium of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The co-sponsors were The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the National Endowment for the Humanities.