Abraham Lincoln was an American lawyer and statesman who served as the 16th President of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Born in Kentucky in 1809, Lincoln grew up in poverty and worked as a storekeeper, surveyor, and rail splitter before becoming a lawyer and entering politics in the 1830s. He served as a Whig Party representative in the Illinois General Assembly and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1846.
Lincoln became president in the midst of the American Civil War, which was fought between the northern states and the southern states over the issue of slavery. As president, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate territory were to be set free, and he worked to preserve the Union. He was reelected in 1864 and continued to lead the country through the war until his assassination by John Wilkes Booth in April 1865.
Lincoln is widely regarded as one of America’s greatest presidents and is remembered for his leadership during the Civil War, his commitment to preserving the Union, and his role in ending slavery in the United States. He is also known for his famous speeches, including the Gettysburg Address, in which he outlined his vision for the country and called for the preservation of the Union and the end of slavery.
Lincoln’s legacy continues to inspire and influence the nation, and his likeness can be found on monuments and currency across the country. He remains one of the most recognizable and revered figures in American history, and his leadership and commitment to freedom and equality continue to be celebrated and studied.
References:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/abraham-lincoln/
