Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday

President Lincolns Birthday: Commemorating Abe

Abraham Lincoln is one of the most notable figures in American history. He was the 16th President of the United States who served from 1861 to 1865. He was also the first American President to come from the Republican Party.

Young Abe

Abraham “Abe” Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in Hardin County, Kentucky. He had humble beginnings, and was in fact from an undistinguished family. He did not have political roots and his successes in life were pretty much his own doing.

Abraham Lincoln did not have the education that most people in politics have nowadays. He lived in a wild region during the first eight years of his life and could only read, write, and cipher when he came of age. His formal education is said to have transpired in 18 months with unofficial teachers. Thus, Lincoln was self-taught in various disciplines such as American History, Shakespeare, law, and English to name a few.

Despite this, he started out his political career at the age of 23 and proceeded to become one of the most successful lawyers in Illinois. During this time, he managed a small store selling various items such as coffee, tea, sugar, and other such items.

Abe’s Family

Before Lincoln started a family of his own, it was said that he had an intimate friend named Joshua Fry Speed. The latter married before Abe did, and Lincoln was said to have experienced jealousy over Speed’s new partner. Nonetheless, Lincoln moved on and ended up marrying Mary Todd on November 4, 1842 with whom Lincoln had four boys. Only one of these four boys, the eldest of the four Robert Todd Lincoln, lived on to adulthood. This son of Abraham Lincoln bore him three grandchildren, who in turn gave him three great-grandchildren. Unfortunately, Abraham Lincoln’s bloodline ended with his great-grandson Robert Beckwith in 1985.

Lincoln and Slavery

Lincoln’s presidency was set during the Civil war, and making decisions about the war predominantly occupied his time. He won himself the President’s seat solely from the support of the North and he did little or no campaigning in the South. The conflict between the North and the South was aggravated by and continued on Lincoln’s term.

Abraham Lincoln’s most notable achievement is his move to outlaw slavery in the United States through his Emancipation Proclamation. In freeing the slaves in late 1862, Lincoln was also able to weaken the rebellion by abolishing the workforce of the slave owners. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was a declaration of the freedom of slaves, it should be remembered that it was his efforts in enforcing the 13th Amendment which truly abolished the legality of slavery.

Other Aspects of Lincoln’s Presidency

Despite the war, President Lincoln was able to make noteworthy achievements in other aspects of his governance. During his term, he signed various Acts such as the: Homestead Act; Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act; Pacific Railway Acts; and the National Banking Acts.

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865 by actor John Wilkes Booth. Like all U.S. Presidents, Lincoln is honored during President’s day, celebrated every third Monday in February. This day marks the combination of two events namely George Washington’s Birthday (February 22) and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12).