Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday 2024
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, taking office in 1861. He became famous for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared slaves in the Confederacy to be free forever.
Lincoln believed that secession, or states leaving the Union, was illegal. He was willing to use force to uphold federal laws and keep the country together. When Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter, he called for volunteers to defend the Union, leading to the start of the Civil War.
Born in Kentucky in 1809, Lincoln grew up in a humble family. He worked various jobs and taught himself to read, write, and do math. Despite his limited education, he became a lawyer and entered politics.
Lincoln married Mary Todd and had four sons, but only one survived into adulthood. He gained national attention through his debates with Stephen A. Douglas during a Senate race, which helped him secure the Republican nomination for President in 1860.
During his presidency, Lincoln focused on uniting the country and strengthening the Republican Party. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in Confederate states, and won re-election in 1864 as the Union gained military victories.
Lincoln’s goal was to reunite the nation and heal its wounds. His famous speeches, like the Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address, emphasized the importance of unity and forgiveness.
unfortunately in 1865 John Wilkes Booth killed Abraham Lincoln. His death shocked the nation and made peace and reconciliation more difficult to achieve.