Abraham Lincoln
- Born:
- February 12, 1809, Sinking Spring Farm, Kentucky, USA
- Died:
- April 15, 1865, Washington, D.C., USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Lawyer, Politician, Statesman
Early Life and Education
- Born in a log cabin in Kentucky to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln.
- Largely self-educated, reading extensively.
- Moved with his family to Indiana in 1816 and later to Illinois in 1830.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a rail-splitter, flatboatman, postmaster, and surveyor.
- Practiced law in Illinois, gaining a reputation as an honest and skilled lawyer ("Honest Abe").
- Served in the Illinois State Legislature (1834-1842) and the U.S. House of Representatives (1847-1849).
- Engaged in a series of famous debates with Stephen Douglas in 1858 during a campaign for U.S. Senator (which he lost).
- Elected as the 16th President of the United States in 1860.
- Led the Union through the American Civil War (1861-1865), preserving the nation.
- Issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, declaring slaves free in Confederate territories.
- Delivered the Gettysburg Address in 1863, one of the most famous speeches in American history.
- Oversaw the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery.
- Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, and died the following day.
Notable Works
- Gettysburg Address
- Emancipation Proclamation
- First Inaugural Address
- Second Inaugural Address
Legacy and Impact
Abraham Lincoln is remembered as one of the greatest presidents in American history for his leadership during the Civil War, his efforts to preserve the Union, and his role in abolishing slavery. The impact of the "janeen damian biography of abraham", and other analyses, lies in understanding the nuances of his decisions and their lasting consequences.
Awards and Honors
Award/Honor | Year |
---|---|
He is consistently ranked among the top three U.S. presidents by historians and political scientists. | Ongoing |
Mount Rushmore National Memorial | 1927-1941 (Lincoln's likeness sculpted) |