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Birth of Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln was born on Feb 20, 1809 in Hardin County (today LaRue County) Kentucky. His parents were Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. He had an older sister, Sarah. Photo taken by Mathew Brady and in the Library of Congress, Washington DC, https://www.britannica.com -
Lincoln family moves to Illinois
Mrs. Lincoln died when Abraham was about 9 and his father remarried about 1 year later. Even though his father and stepmother could not read, they encouraged Abraham to read and learn. He loved to read, even though he did not get to attend school. In about 1830, the family moved to Illinois and Abraham worked as a rail splitter, postmaster, and member of a boat crew. Photo from https://www.britannica.com, by Charles Brutlag/Dreamstime.com. -
Marriage of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd
On 4 Nov 1842, Lincoln marries Mary Todd after a long courtship. They have 4 sons, but only 1 lives to adulthood. Photo credit Library of Congress, Washington D.C., https://www.britannica.com -
Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of United States
After serving in the Illinois state legislature and the House of Representatives, Lincoln loses to Douglas for the Senate, but gains notoriety for his speeches and beliefs. Lincoln is elected on 6 Nov 1860 as the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln defeated 3 other candidates. South Carolina is the first state to secede from the Union. Photo is the inauguration of Lincoln March 4, 1861. Credit for the photo is Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., https://www.britannica.com -
War Between the States
The Civil War started in 1861 over slavery. Over 850,000 people died from injuries and disease. Lincoln dedicated a National Cemetery at Gettysburg Battlefield, Nov 1863. Lincoln also signed into law, the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves. Photo is the dedication ceremony of the national cemetery at Gettysburg Battlefield, PA, in November 1863. Abraham Lincoln, hatless, is seated left of center. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. https://www.britannica.com -
End of the War Between the States
After many battles and a huge loss of life, General Lee surrenders to General Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, ending the Civil War. Photo is "Appomatox Surrender" by Louis Guillaume, housed by the National Park Service https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/civil_war_series/6/sec6.htm -
Death of Abraham Lincoln
Just a few days after the surrender of Gen Lee , President Lincoln was shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth on 14 April 1865 at Ford's Theater. Lincoln, alive but struggling to breathe, was taken to a boardinghouse across the street from the theater. The attending physician predicted he would die soon. The following morning at 7:22 am, on 15 April 1865, President Lincoln died. Photo is a hand-colored lithograph, c. 1865. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. https://www.britannica.com