So for this week, well technically last week, we were given the task of judging a Wikipedia article on a historical concept by looking at its sources, discussion, and history. I chose a Wikipedia article on Abraham Lincoln.

The article link can be found here.

Upon clicking the “source” link, you will find a reassuring lock image next to the message, “This page is currently semi-protected and can be edited only by established registered users.” This brings into question what exactly is meant by “Established registered users.” Is this referring to people who have created multiple valid articles in the past? Do these people have certain historical accreditations? Or is this simply talking about someone who has created multiple Wikipedia articles on any subject? Curious.

The “history” of the article brings me to believe the words on the page are accurate. In the past month, over 50 edits have been made to the article. Seeing that the page is being constantly edited, checked, and revised assures me that people are not simply making this information up, but rather, constantly ensuring it is the most accurate and authentic it can possibly be.

The discussion won me over. The article was a “former featured article” on Wikipedia’s main page, has previously been listed as one of “history’s good articles” which features historical articles with accurate, credible information, and no one discussing the article seems to have any outstanding objections to the factual information presented.

Overall, I give Wikipedia’s Abraham Lincoln an A for accurate.