Abraham Lincoln Life Story

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential presidents in American history, particularly for his leadership during the Civil War and his efforts to end slavery.

Lincoln was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, in 1809. He grew up in a log cabin and received only a few months of formal education. As a young man, he worked various jobs, including as a store clerk, surveyor, and postmaster.

READ ALSO: The Autobiography Of Eleanor Roosevelt

Lincoln began his political career in the Illinois state legislature in 1834, and he later served a single term in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1847 to 1849. He gained national prominence in 1858 with a series of debates against Stephen A. Douglas in the Illinois Senate race, during which he argued against the expansion of slavery into new territories.

In 1860, Lincoln was elected President of the United States as a member of the newly formed Republican Party. His election triggered the secession of several Southern states, and he faced the daunting task of preserving the Union and ending slavery.

During the Civil War, Lincoln exercised strong leadership and made key strategic decisions that helped the Union army to win several important battles. He also issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared that all slaves in Confederate territory were to be freed.

Lincoln was re-elected in 1864, and he worked to bring the war to a close while also promoting policies to help rebuild the South and provide greater rights and opportunities for African Americans. However, on April 14, 1865, he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Lincoln’s legacy as a president and as a symbol of freedom and democracy has endured long after his death. He is remembered for his eloquence, his commitment to justice, and his vision of a more perfect Union.

READ ALSO: William Shakespeare Biography For Students

What are 5 facts about Abraham Lincoln?

Here are five interesting facts about Abraham Lincoln:

1. Lincoln was a self-taught lawyer and had no formal legal education. He studied law on his own and passed the bar exam in 1836.
2. Lincoln was the tallest president in American history, standing at 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) tall. He was known for his lanky appearance and had a nickname of “Honest Abe”.
3. Lincoln suffered from depression throughout his life and experienced several major depressive episodes. Despite this, he was able to maintain his leadership during difficult times, including the Civil War.
4. Lincoln was the first president to wear a beard while in office. He grew his beard after receiving a letter from an 11-year-old girl suggesting that he would look better with facial hair.
5. Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation only applied to slaves in the Confederate states, as he did not have the authority to free slaves in states that remained loyal to the Union. However, the Proclamation helped to shift the focus of the Civil War from a conflict over states’ rights to a moral crusade against slavery.