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Birth & Early Years
The first president from outside of the original 13 states, Abraham Lincoln was born near Hodgenville, Kentucky in 1809 to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks. At the age of seven, his family moved to Indiana, and his mother died when he was nine.
Although he did not receive any formal, consistent education, he grew up to be an avid book reader. At age 17, he worked splitting wood, known locally for his great power and strength, and traveled down the Mississippi River to New Orleans (Darity 450). -
Battle of Wagram
The Battle of Wagram was the deciding final battle between France, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, and Austria, under the Archduke Charles. The result was France's victory. It led to the signing of the Treaty of Schönbrunn, ending the war between France and Austria. -
Death of Mother
Abraham Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, died when he was just nine years old. This devastated him, and left him feeling alienated from his father. This was the first but most significant unfortunate event in young Abraham's life. -
Discovery of Antarctica
In January, Russian Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen becomes the first person to see the Antarctic continent. This would spark many voyages to the new continent during the next two decades. That same year, American explorer Nathaniel Palmer actually discovered what he called Palmer's Peninsula, a part of Antarctica, without realizing it. -
Emergence as a Leader
In March of 1830, the Lincoln family moved to New Salem, Illinois. Here, at the age of 21, Abraham Lincoln made his first political speech dealing with the improvement of nagivation on the Sangamon River. New Salem would also be the place where he later starts studying law, enlists in the Black Hawk War, is elected to the Illinois General Assembly, and meets his first love interest, Ann Rutledge.
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Moved to Springfield
Earlier in 1837, Lincoln became successful in passing a bill that moves the state capital from Vandalia to Springfield, its current capital. In April, he moved to Springfield and becomes law partners with John T. Stuart. This was his second major job in law and politics. -
Treaties of Tientsin
Four treaties, which made up the Treaties of Tientsin, were signed from June 13-17, 1858 by Britain, France, Russia, America, and China. It ended the four-year Second Opium War, which was the battle between the British and their allies and the Qing Dynasty of China. Britain had wanted to negotiate the opening of China to all of their merchants, which the emperor had refused. -
Runs for Senate
In 1858, after starting a family, Lincoln was chosen by Illinois republicans to run for the U.S. Senate. Lincoln gave his famous House Divided speech in acceptance. He did lose the election in November to Stephen Douglas, who was re-elected; however, this speech caused Lincoln to gain many followers who would support him in the 1860 Presidential Election. -
Start of U.S. Pony Express
In 1860, Benjamin Franklin's United States Postal Service, originally nicknamed the Pony Express, initiated. Its original run was from Saint Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. That year, there were over 150 postal stations along the route. -
Elected President
In 1860, Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican to be elected President of the United States. Slavery-supporting states immediately succeeded from the Union after his election, as Lincoln opposed slavery. Just a few months after his inauguration, the American Civil War broke out, forcing him to support it and fight so the nation would remain united. -
Civil War Breaks Out
Just after Lincoln's inauguration, the first shot of the American Civil War was fired on the 26th of January on an island off South Carolina. Lincoln made the difficult decision of officially accepting the war. Although he was against it, he maintained the Union with much determination to reunite the country. -
French Intervention in Mexico
At the start of the year, French, Spanish, and British forces arrive in Veracruz, Mexico, beginning the French intervention in Mexico. Mexican President Benito Juárez had suspended interest payments to foreign countries on 17 July 1861, which angered Spain, France and Britain. The three countries signed the Treaty of London on October 31, 1861, to agree to fight for their payments. -
Emancipation Proclamation Proclaimed
On New Year's Day 1863, Lincoln finally issued his Emancipation Proclamation. This was the first step in freeing enslaved Africans in the south, which was not under Lincoln's control. This action changed the whole course of the Civil War. Suddenly, it wasn't just a war fought for the sake of fighting for or fighting against the seccession of states, it was a real fight for freedom (Phelps and Lehman 117). The Union was strengthened strictly through motivation, leading them to victory. -
Prince George elected King of Greece
In 1863, the Prince of Denmark was elected King of Greece by the Hellenic Parliament. His reign lasted over 50 years, the longest anyone ever ruled Greece. His supporters included the "Great Powers; the UK, Second French Empire, and the Russian Empire. -
Gettysburg Address
In July 1863, a battle broke out in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania that would be considered the turning point of the Civil War, with the most casualities during its timespan, but being a great victory for the north. On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered his iconic speech, the Gettysburg Address, honoring those who died in what became known as the Battle of Gettysburg. It ensured feelings of virtue in American citizens and raised their hopes immensely. -
Assassination
The night of April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln arrived at Ford's Theater in D.C. John Wilkes Booth, a well-known but apparently mentally insane actor, snuck up behind Lincoln and shot him. Lincoln died the following day, and was buried the 19th. Booth was found and killed the 26th. This was just a month after Lincoln was inaugurated President for a second term.
