ABRAHAM LINCOLN Says... #wisdom #quotes

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He is one of the most revered and iconic figures in American history. Lincoln is best known for his leadership during the American Civil War and for his efforts to abolish slavery, which eventually led to the passage of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Here are some key points about Abraham Lincoln:

1. Early Life: Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Hardin County (now LaRue County), Kentucky. His family later moved to Indiana and settled in Illinois when he was still a young boy.

2. Education: Lincoln had very little formal education and was largely self-taught. He loved reading and would borrow books from neighbors to educate himself.

3. Legal Career: Before entering politics, Lincoln worked as a lawyer in Illinois. His experiences with the law and disputes over land titles gave him valuable insights into the struggles of common people.

4. Political Career: Lincoln's political career began in the 1830s when he was elected to the Illinois State Legislature as a member of the Whig Party. He later served one term in the United States House of Representatives from 1847 to 1849.

5. Lincoln-Douglas Debates: In 1858, Lincoln engaged in a series of debates with Senator Stephen A. Douglas during the Illinois Senate race. These debates brought him national attention and highlighted his anti-slavery stance.

6. Presidency and Civil War: In 1860, Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States, running as a Republican. His election triggered the secession of Southern states, leading to the Civil War in 1861. The Civil War was fought between the Union (the Northern states) and the Confederacy (the Southern states that seceded).

7. Emancipation Proclamation: On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. This proclamation shifted the focus of the war to not only preserve the Union but also to end slavery.

8. Gettysburg Address: In November 1863, Lincoln delivered one of his most famous speeches, the Gettysburg Address, during the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In this speech, he emphasized the importance of preserving the Union and the ideals of democracy.

9. Second Term and Assassination: Lincoln was re-elected in 1864 for a second term. However, just days after the Civil War's end, he was assassinated on April 14, 1865, by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. He died the following day on April 15, 1865.

Abraham Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War and his role in the abolition of slavery have made him an enduring symbol of freedom, equality, and perseverance in the United States. He is often ranked among the greatest American presidents for his vision and determination during one of the most challenging periods in the nation's history.