Who was he?

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States and is regarded as one of
America's greatest heroes due to his role as savior of the Union and emancipator of slaves.
His rise from humble beginnings to achieving the highest office in the land is a remarkable
story.

Biography

He was born on the 12th of february 1809

Lincoln was born to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. The couple had two other
children: Lincoln's older sister Sarah and younger brother Thomas, who died in infancy.

When young Lincoln was nine years old, his mother died of milk sickness at age 34, on
October 5, 1818. The event was devastating to him, and young Lincolngrew more alienated
from his father and quietly resented the hard work placed on him at an early age.

In December 1819, just over a year after his mother’s death, Lincoln’s father Thomas
married Sarah Bush Johnston. She was a strong and affectionate woman with
whom Lincoln quickly bonded.
Though both his parents were most likely illiterate, Thomas’ new wife Sarah
encouraged Lincoln to read. It was while growing into manhood that Lincoln received his
formal education — an estimated total of 18 months — a few days or weeks at a time. 

Reading material was in short supply in the Indiana wilderness. Neighbors recalled
how Lincoln would walk for miles to borrow a book.

Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 april 14th by a Confederate spy in the middle of the play
,,Our American Cousin”. He was shot in the head and after about 8 hours of coma he died
on April 15th. Lincoln was assassinated at a time when his country needed him to complete
the great task of reunifying the nation. His eloquent support of democracy and insistence
that the Union was worth saving embody the ideals of self-government that all nations
strive to achieve. Lincoln's distinctively humane personality and incredible impact on the
nation have endowed him with an enduring legacy.

Greatest accomplishments

 Emancipation Proclamation - This was one of Lincoln's greatest accomplishments.

The blacks were happy to finally have the right to serve their country and nearly
200,000 blacks joined the armed forces. Therefore, Lincoln gave them the right to
fight for their own freedom. 
Of course, it did state that slaves were to be freed. However, this rule did not apply in any of
the Confederate states nor did it apply in the border states.
 Ending slavery - The Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery. The states that
it applied to were virtually slave free, since they were all members of the Union. It
could not even be applied to the border states. 
After the war, Lincoln continued to support legislation that would effectively and actually
free the slaves. He was a great supporter of the 13th Amendment, which did wind up being
the one to free the slaves.
 Gettysburg Address (speech). Another event that Lincoln is very well known for is his
presentation of the Gettysburg Address. Many people are familiar with the famous
opening lines, "Four score and seven years ago..." This speech was an
accomplishment for Lincoln because of what it spoke about at the time, but also for
the impact that it has continued to have all the way up until today. 
He spoke these words at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania, on November 19, 1863. This event occurred four months after the Union army
defeated the Confederate army at the Battle of Gettysburg. In the speech he spoke about: 
o How freedom would come to the states for all citizens 
o How they would work more towards unity and less towards states' rights 
o Tribute and honor to the burial grounds of the soldiers 
o What the country was founded upon 
o How he would continue to strive to reach those principles

 HE SIGNED THE FIRST OF THE HOMESTEAD ACTS, ALLOWING POOR PEOPLE TO

OBTAIN LANDThe Homestead Act of 1862 was passed in Lincoln’s presidency. It gave

the applicant ownership of land at little or no cost. Anyone who had never taken up

arms against the U.S. government (including freed slaves and women), was 21 years

or older, or the head of a family, could file an application to claim a federal land

grant. The occupant had to reside on the land for five years, and show evidence of

having made improvements.

 Linkoln established the US national banking system - In 1863, the National Banking
Act was signed into law by Abraham Lincoln. It created the United States National
Banking System providing a strong financial network to the country. It also
established a national currency. The legacy of the Act is its impact on the national
banking system as it stands today and its support of a uniform U.S. banking policy.
Apart from banks, Lincoln helped the economy flourish through canals, railroads,
factories etc.

Interesting facts
  Lincoln was six feet four inches tall and that is about two meters, rawboned and
lanky, but muscular and physically strong
 Despite becoming a successful lawyer, Lincoln did not have a degree. His total
schooling, obtained from travelling teachers, is estimated to total only around 1
year. He was self - educated
 He really was a wrestler. Lincoln was documented as taking part in wrestling
bouts. We don’t think he wore a mask or had a manager.
 He didn’t drink, smoke, or chew. Lincoln was a simple man of tastes, and he
never drank in the White House.
  Lincoln’s cat ate at the White House dinner table.
 Lincoln battled depression for much of his life.