Abraham Lincoln
Born 1809 · Age 217
16th President of the United States (1861–1865). Self-educated lawyer and politician who led the U.S. through the Civil War, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, promoted the 13th Amendment, and was assassinated in 1865.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in a one-room log cabin near Hodgenville, Kentucky
Abraham Lincoln born February 12, 1809, son of Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln; family lived in poverty on the frontier.
Family moves to Indiana (Little Pigeon Creek)
Lincoln's family moved from Kentucky to Indiana in March 1816 seeking more secure land titles and a safer environment.
Death of mother Nancy Hanks Lincoln
Lincoln's mother died of milk sickness on October 5, 1818; this loss shaped his early life and emotional development.
Thomas Lincoln marries Sarah Bush Johnston
Thomas Lincoln remarried; Lincoln formed a close bond with his stepmother, who encouraged his education.
Death of sister Sarah
Lincoln's older sister Sarah died in childbirth on January 20, 1828; the event had a deep emotional effect on Lincoln.
Family moves to Illinois; Lincoln strikes out on his own
In March 1830 the extended Lincoln family moved west to Illinois; Abraham later moved to New Salem and began adult work.
Works as clerk in New Salem general store
Lincoln worked in a general store and built reputation as a raconteur and reliable worker; began to read widely.
Serves in Illinois Militia during Black Hawk War
Lincoln served April–July 1832 as a militia officer (elected captain) during the Black Hawk War; saw no combat but gained leadership credentials.
Buys (then later sells) stake in Lincoln–Berry general store and tavern
Lincoln and William Berry purchased and ran the New Salem general store; business struggled and Lincoln sold his share.
Elected to Illinois House of Representatives
Lincoln won election to the Illinois state legislature and began four terms representing Sangamon County (served 1834–1842).
Admitted to the Illinois bar
Lincoln was admitted to the bar on September 9, 1836, and began practice in Springfield; this launched his legal career.
Declines duel and continues to build legal reputation
Lincoln's public controversies (including a planned duel) abated; he continued developing his law practice and political standing.
Marries Mary Todd
Lincoln married Mary Todd on November 4, 1842, linking him to a prominent Kentucky family and starting their family.
Birth of first son Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln was born in 1843; he would be the only Lincoln child to survive to full adulthood.
Moves law practice to Springfield; purchases house
Lincoln moved his practice and family to Springfield in 1844 and bought a house near his office, solidifying his status as an established attorney.
Elected to U.S. House of Representatives (Whig)
Lincoln won the 1846 election to the U.S. House (served March 4, 1847–March 3, 1849); he opposed the Mexican–American War while in Congress.
Receives U.S. patent (flotation device for boats)
Lincoln received U.S. Patent No. 6,469 (May 22, 1849) for a buoyancy device for boats—he remains the only U.S. president with a patent.
Death of son Edward 'Eddie' Lincoln
Edward (Eddie) Baker Lincoln died on February 1, 1850, likely of tuberculosis; the family suffered a profound loss.
Peoria Speech opposing Kansas–Nebraska Act
Lincoln's October 1854 Peoria speech marked his return to national politics and established his opposition to the extension of slavery.
Helps establish Illinois Republican Party (Bloomington Convention)
Lincoln attended the Bloomington convention where the Illinois Republican Party was established, becoming a leading Republican in the state.
Lincoln–Douglas debates during Senate campaign
Series of seven debates across Illinois against Stephen A. Douglas in 1858; Lincoln lost the Senate seat but gained national prominence.
Successful murder defense using Farmers' Almanac (Duff Armstrong trial)
In 1858–1859 Lincoln used the Farmers' Almanac to undercut an eyewitness moonlight testimony, gaining acclaim for his courtroom technique.
Delivers Cooper Union speech in New York
Lincoln's Feb 27, 1860 Cooper Union speech elevated his national profile and helped secure eastern Republican support for his candidacy.
Nominated for President at Republican National Convention
On May 18, 1860, Lincoln won the Republican presidential nomination on the third ballot; Hannibal Hamlin was chosen as VP.
Elected 16th President of the United States
Lincoln was elected on November 6, 1860; his victory, arising from Northern and Western support, precipitated secession in the South.
Inaugurated as President (First Inaugural Address)
Lincoln took office March 4, 1861, delivering an inaugural address appealing for unity but holding that secession was illegal.
Suspends writ of habeas corpus
In April 1861 Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus (a controversial wartime measure later challenged in Ex parte Merryman).
Fort Sumter attacked; Civil War begins
Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861; Lincoln called for volunteers and began directing the Union war effort.
Calls for 75,000 militiamen to preserve the Union
Following Fort Sumter, Lincoln called on April 15, 1861 for 75,000 militia to suppress the rebellion and defend the capital.
Signs Act freeing some slaves in Washington, D.C.
On April 16, 1862 Lincoln signed an act freeing slaves in the District of Columbia, with compensation for owners and funds for colonization.
Signs Homestead Act into law
On May 20, 1862 Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, allowing settlers to claim up to 160 acres of public land for settlement.
Issues the Emancipation Proclamation
Proclamation (effective Jan 1, 1863) declared slaves in Confederate-held territories to be free, changing the moral and political stakes of the war.
Delivers the Gettysburg Address
On Nov 19, 1863 Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the National Cemetery; the speech redefined the war's purpose.
Appoints Salmon P. Chase as Chief Justice (after Taney's death)
Following the death of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, Lincoln appointed Salmon P. Chase to the Supreme Court (1864), aiming to unify the party and support Reconstruction.
Re-elected President (1864 election)
Lincoln won re-election on November 8, 1864 (defeating George B. McClellan), campaigning on preservation of the Union and emancipation.
Promoted passage/submission of the 13th Amendment (abolishing slavery)
Lincoln actively promoted the Thirteenth Amendment; the House passed it Jan 31, 1865 and Lincoln signed/authorized its submission to the states Feb 1, 1865.
State funeral and national mourning
Following his assassination, Lincoln's body lay in state and a national funeral procession took him to Springfield for burial; he became a martyr and national hero.
Legacy: remembered as 'The Great Emancipator' and top-ranked U.S. President
Posthumously Lincoln has been consistently ranked by scholars and the public among the greatest U.S. presidents for leadership in the Civil War and abolition.
Delivers Second Inaugural Address
In his second inaugural (March 4, 1865), Lincoln called for 'malice toward none' and outlined reconciliation and Reconstruction objectives.
Lee surrenders at Appomattox Court House
On April 9, 1865 General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending major Confederate resistance.
Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre (shot)
On the evening of April 14, 1865, Lincoln was shot by actor/Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre.
Dies of assassination wounds
Lincoln died on April 15, 1865; he was mourned nationwide and remembered for preserving the Union and advancing abolition.
Key Achievement Ages
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