Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He is often hailed as one of America's greatest heroes due to his role as leader during the country's greatest internal crisis, the American Civil War, and for his eloquent defense of democracy and civil rights.
Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky. His parents, Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, were farmers who worked hard to provide for their family. Lincoln had one older sister, Sarah, and one younger brother, Thomas.
Despite his humble beginnings, Lincoln was a bright and ambitious young man. He received very little formal education, but he was an avid reader and taught himself about a variety of subjects, including law and politics. As a young man, Lincoln worked as a store clerk, a postmaster, and a surveyor, before eventually becoming a lawyer.
In 1834, Lincoln was elected to the Illinois state legislature as a member of the Whig Party. He served in the legislature for four terms, during which time he became known for his opposition to slavery and his support for internal improvements, such as the construction of roads and canals.
In 1846, Lincoln was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served one term. While in Congress, he opposed the Mexican-American War and the expansion of slavery into new territories. After his term in Congress ended, Lincoln returned to Illinois and resumed his law practice.
In 1858, Lincoln ran for the United States Senate against Stephen A. Douglas, a leading proponent of slavery. Although Lincoln lost the election, his eloquent speeches during the campaign, known as the Lincoln-Douglas debates, brought him national recognition and helped to launch his political career.
In 1860, Lincoln was nominated as the Republican Party's candidate for President. He won the election, becoming the first Republican President and the first President from outside the East Coast.
As President, Lincoln faced the greatest challenge of his career: the American Civil War. The war began in 1861, when Southern states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. Lincoln vowed to preserve the Union and to end slavery, and he worked tirelessly to achieve these goals.
Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War was critical to the Union's ultimate victory. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared that all slaves in the Confederate states were to be freed. He also worked to pass the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which permanently ended slavery throughout the United States.
Lincoln's efforts to preserve the Union and to end slavery earned him the respect and admiration of millions of Americans. However, his commitment to these causes also made him a target for those who opposed them. On April 14, 1865, while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., Lincoln was assassinated by Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth.
Lincoln's legacy as a great leader and champion of democracy and civil rights lives on to this day. He is remembered as one of America's greatest Presidents and is honored with numerous statues, memorials, and tributes throughout the country.
