Abraham Lincoln
Born 1809 · Age 216
16th President of the United States (1861–1865); led the Union through the Civil War and advanced abolition (Emancipation Proclamation, promotion of the 13th Amendment). Born into poverty, self-educated lawyer and politician.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born near Hodgenville, Kentucky
Abraham Lincoln born in a log cabin on Sinking Spring Farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky, to Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln.
Lincoln family moves to Indiana
Family relocates from Kentucky to Indiana (Little Pigeon Creek Community) due to land-title problems and health concerns.
Death of mother Nancy Hanks Lincoln
Nancy Lincoln dies (milk sickness); 9-year-old Abraham deeply affected.
Thomas Lincoln remarries Sarah Bush Johnston
Lincoln's father marries widow Sarah Bush Johnston, who becomes a formative, encouraging stepmother.
Flatboat voyage to New Orleans (early exposure to slavery)
Lincoln travels by flatboat to New Orleans where he witnesses slave markets—an experience that impacted his views on slavery.
Death of sister Sarah Lincoln
Lincoln's older sister Sarah dies in childbirth; event profoundly affects him.
Lincoln moves west to Illinois (drives family oxen)
In March 1830 Lincoln and members of extended family move to Illinois; Lincoln drives the ox team; begins adult life on his own.
Settles in New Salem, Illinois; early jobs
Works as store clerk, rail-splitter, boat crewman, and other frontier jobs; becomes known for strength and storytelling.
Elected captain in Illinois militia; Black Hawk War service
Elected captain of his volunteer company during the Black Hawk War (April–July 1832); saw no major combat.
Buys into New Salem general store with William Berry
Partners with William Berry to buy and run New Salem general store; later converted into a tavern (1833); business struggles and Lincoln sells his share.
Runs for Illinois House (first attempt) and loses
Lincoln's first campaign for Illinois General Assembly fails; gains early political experience.
Serves as New Salem postmaster and county surveyor
Holds local posts (postmaster) and serves as county surveyor while continuing to self-educate and read law.
Takes office in Illinois House of Representatives (first term)
Elected to the Illinois state legislature (Sangamon County); serves multiple terms (Dec 1, 1834 – Dec 4, 1842).
Admitted to the Illinois bar
Lincoln passes the bar (self-studied law using Blackstone and other texts) and begins legal practice in Springfield.
Delivers Lyceum Address in Springfield
Gives the Lyceum speech (after the murder of abolitionist editor Lovejoy), attacking mob rule and defending the rule of law.
Meets Mary Todd
Meets Mary Todd in Springfield; they become engaged in 1840 (briefly break off) and reconcile later.
Marries Mary Todd
Lincoln marries Mary Todd in Springfield; they go on to have four sons (only one survives to adulthood).
Birth of eldest son Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln, the Lincolns' eldest son (the only child to reach full adulthood), is born in 1843.
Moves into Springfield house; forms law partnership with William Herndon
Buys a house in Springfield near his law office and begins practice with William Herndon (1844 onward).
Elected to U.S. House of Representatives (Illinois 7th)
Wins election to the U.S. House (serves one term March 4, 1847–March 3, 1849); opposes Mexican–American War and introduces bill to abolish slavery in D.C.
Issues 'Spot Resolutions' challenging Polk's war claims
While in Congress, Lincoln introduces 'spot resolutions' demanding exact location where blood was shed to justify the Mexican–American War.
Granted patent for flotation device (only U.S. president with a patent)
Receives a patent (1849) for a device to lift boats over shoals; patent never commercialized.
Death of son Edward 'Eddie' Baker Lincoln
Edward 'Eddie' Lincoln dies (probable tuberculosis) on Feb 1, 1850; family devastated.
Begins representing Illinois Central Railroad (major client)
From 1853 to 1860 Lincoln represents Illinois Central Railroad among other clients; becomes a leading 'prairie lawyer'.
Declines to take newly elected Illinois legislature seat to pursue Senate
Elected to Illinois legislature in 1854 but declines to take the seat so he can pursue election to the U.S. Senate by the state legislature.
Peoria Speech opposing Kansas–Nebraska Act
Delivers major Peoria speech (Oct 1854) denouncing the Kansas–Nebraska Act and opposing the expansion of slavery.
Support at 1856 Republican National Convention
At the June 1856 Republican National Convention Lincoln was discussed as possible VP candidate; party nominates Frémont/D. Dayton.
Plays leading role in founding Illinois Republican Party; attends Bloomington Convention
Attends the Bloomington Convention, helps found the Illinois Republican Party; speaks for union and against extension of slavery.
Lincoln-Douglas debates and Senate campaign
Engages in seven famous debates with Senator Stephen A. Douglas (Aug–Oct 1858), gaining national prominence though losing the Senate seat.
Loses U.S. Senate election to Stephen A. Douglas
Despite strong national profile from debates, Lincoln loses the 1858 Senate election to Douglas (legislature vote).
Nominated for President at Republican National Convention
Wins the Republican presidential nomination (Chicago convention) on May 18, 1860, defeating candidates like Seward and Chase.
Elected 16th President of the United States
Wins the presidential election (Nov 6, 1860) in a four-way race; victory prompts Southern secession.
South Carolina secedes from the Union
South Carolina becomes the first state to secede (Dec 20, 1860) in reaction to Lincoln's election.
Defuses the Trent Affair (averts war with Britain)
Handles the international crisis known as the Trent Affair (1861) to avert war with Great Britain by defusing tensions.
First inauguration as President
Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as 16th President of the United States (March 4, 1861); warns that secession is illegal but aims to avoid war if possible.
Suspends the writ of habeas corpus
Suspends habeas corpus in April 1861 to deal with rebellion and security; action later challenged in Ex parte Merryman (Taney).
Confederate attack on Fort Sumter (Civil War begins)
Confederate batteries fire on Fort Sumter (Apr 12–13, 1861) marking the start of the American Civil War.
Calls for 75,000 volunteers to suppress rebellion
Issues a call for 75,000 militia volunteers to serve for 90 days to suppress the insurrection (proclamation April 15, 1861).
Orders naval blockade of Southern ports
Orders a blockade of Confederate ports (April 19, 1861) to strangle Confederate trade and supplies.
Signs First Confiscation Act
Signs the First Confiscation Act (Aug 6, 1861) allowing seizure of property/enslaved persons supporting Confederate war effort.
Death of son William 'Willie' Lincoln
Willie Lincoln dies of fever at the White House (Feb 20, 1862); the loss deeply affects the president and First Lady.
Signs Second Confiscation Act and Militia Act
Signs Second Confiscation Act and the Militia Act (July 17, 1862), authorizing freedom for some enslaved people and allowing blacks to serve in Union forces.
Battle of Antietam (Union tactical check) and preliminary Emancipation
Union victory at Antietam (Sept 17, 1862) gives Lincoln the opportunity to issue a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation (announced Sept 22, 1862).
Issues the Emancipation Proclamation
Emancipation Proclamation takes effect (Jan 1, 1863), declaring slaves in rebellious states to be forever free; transforms war aims.
Delivers Gettysburg Address
Delivers the Gettysburg Address (Nov 19, 1863) at dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery; speech becomes iconic.
Issues Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction (full pardons offer)
Issues Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction (Dec 8, 1863) offering pardons and terms for Confederate states to rejoin the Union.
Republican Party renominates Lincoln for second term
Republican National Convention (June 1864) nominates Lincoln for re-election with Andrew Johnson as running mate.
Re-elected President (1864)
Wins re-election (Nov 8, 1864) defeating George B. McClellan; receives 55% of popular vote and 212 of 233 electoral votes.
House of Representatives passes 13th Amendment
House passes the Thirteenth Amendment to abolish slavery (Jan 31, 1865); Lincoln had used political influence to secure votes.
Symbolically signs the Thirteenth Amendment
Lincoln symbolically signs the 13th Amendment (Feb 1, 1865) to demonstrate his support for ending slavery nationwide.
Second inauguration
Inaugurated for second term (Mar 4, 1865); delivers Second Inaugural Address emphasizing 'malice toward none'.
Surrender at Appomattox Court House (Civil War effectively ends)
Gen. Robert E. Lee surrenders to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox (Apr 9, 1865), effectively ending major Confederate resistance.
Shot at Ford's Theatre
Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre (night of Apr 14, 1865).
Death from assassination wounds
Dies of his wound at Petersen House (Apr 15, 1865, 7:22 a.m.); Vice President Andrew Johnson sworn in as President.
Interment in Springfield tomb
Lincoln's funeral train returns his body to Springfield; he is interred in the Lincoln Tomb (final internment ceremonies in early May 1865).
Death of son Thomas 'Tad' Lincoln (post-presidential family event)
Youngest son Thomas 'Tad' Lincoln dies of edema at age 18 (July 16, 1871). Included as a personal milestone affecting Lincoln's legacy/family after his death.
Inducted into various memorial recognitions (Hall of Fame etc.)
Posthumous honors include induction into halls of fame and the erection/dedication of memorials (e.g., Lincoln Memorial dedicated 1922); long-term recognitions of his legacy.
Key Achievement Ages
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