Abraham Lincoln He was the 16th president of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He is best remembered for leading the nation through the American Civil War, successfully preserving the Union, and abolishing slavery across the United States. Scholars and historians consistently rank him as one of the greatest presidents in American history. Early Life and Career *Humble Origins: Born in a log cabin in Kentucky on February 12, 1809, to illiterate pioneer parents. *Self-Educated: Had less than a year of formal schooling but read voraciously to teach himself. *Varied Profession: Worked as a flatboat navigator, storekeeper, and postmaster before teaching himself law. *Political Rise: Served in the Illinois legislature and one term in the U.S. House of Representatives. *National Prominence: Gained fame during the 1858 [Lincoln-Douglas debates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln%E2%80%93Douglas_debates) regarding the expansion of slavery. Presidency and the Civil War *The 1860 Election: Won the presidency as the first Republican candidate, prompting Southern states to secede. *War Objective: Focused primarily on preserving the Union, which he viewed as a global ideal for self-government. *Emancipation Proclamation: Issued in 1863, freeing enslaved people in Confederate states and reframing the war's purpose. *Gettysburg Address: Delivered a short, iconic speech in 1863 redefining the American democratic ideal. *Thirteenth Amendment: Actively pushed for the constitutional amendment to permanently abolish slavery everywhere in the U.S. Assassination and Legacy *Tragic Death: Shot by Confederate sympathiser John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. *Martyr Status: Died the following morning, just days after the principal Confederate army surrendered. *Enduring Symbol: Commemorated on the U.S. five-dollar bill, the penny, and at the [Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C]
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