Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States, serving from 1861 to 1865.
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States, serving from 1861 to 1865. He led the country through the American Civil War, preserved the Union, and issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which marked a major step toward ending slavery in the United States.
Early life
Lincoln was born in Kentucky in 1809 and later lived in Indiana and Illinois. He rose from a modest rural background to become a lawyer and politician.
Presidency
Lincoln became president in 1861 and governed during the American Civil War. His administration focused on preserving the Union and advancing the abolition of slavery.
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring enslaved people in rebelling states to be free. The measure changed the war’s purpose and became a major turning point in U.S. history.
Assassination and death
Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865, by John Wilkes Booth and died the next day. He was the first U.S. president to be assassinated.
Key facts
- Born on February 12, 1809, near Hodgenville, Kentucky.
- Served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his death in 1865.
- Led the Union through the American Civil War and helped defeat the Confederacy.
- Issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.
- Was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth after attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.
Lincoln’s presidency is relevant to Canadian readers because the American Civil War shaped 19th-century North American politics, trade, and diplomacy, and his leadership remains a major reference point in U.S. history studied in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
When was Abraham Lincoln born?
How did Abraham Lincoln die?
What did Abraham Lincoln do as president?
What are famous Abraham Lincoln quotes?
What was the Emancipation Proclamation?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_LincolnSupports: Birth date, presidency dates, Civil War leadership, Emancipation Proclamation date and basic overview.
- American Battlefield Trust — https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/abraham-lincolnSupports: Birthplace, assassination details, death date, and Emancipation Proclamation context.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abraham-LincolnSupports: Birth and death dates, presidency, preservation of the Union, and emancipation role.
- National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/people/abraham-lincoln.htmSupports: Birth and death dates, burial place, Emancipation Proclamation summary, and assassination context.
- The White House — https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2026/02/birthday-of-president-abraham-lincoln-2026/Supports: Lincoln's birth date, presidency, Emancipation Proclamation, Thirteenth Amendment, and assassination.
- Library of Congress — https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/february-12/Supports: Birth date, nicknames, orator reputation, preservation of the Union, and Emancipation Proclamation.
- National Geographic Kids — https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/abraham-lincolnSupports: Examples of famous quotes, presidency achievements, and assassination date.
- Miller Center — https://www.millercenter.org/president/lincolnSupports: Emancipation Proclamation effect on the war and slavery.