Early Life:

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky, to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. He was the second of three children, with an older sister named Sarah and a younger brother named Thomas. Lincoln's early life was marked by poverty and hardship, as his father struggled to make ends meet as a farmer and carpenter. Despite the challenges they faced, Lincoln's parents valued education and encouraged their children to read and learn. Lincoln's mother died when he was just nine years old, and his father remarried a year later. However, this second marriage was short-lived, and Lincoln's father died in 1818 when he was just nine years old.

Youth

After his father's death, Lincoln moved to Indiana with his mother's brother, Mordecai Ridgway. He spent several years working as a farmhand and learning about the importance of hard work and self-reliance. In 1828, Lincoln moved to New Salem, Illinois, where he began working as a store clerk and eventually opened his own general store.

Presidency

Lincoln's presidency was marked by his strong leadership during the Civil War. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, declaring that all slaves in Confederate territory were free. He also signed the Homestead Act, which allowed settlers to claim up to 160 acres of land for free. In 1864, Lincoln was re-elected as president, but he lost his life just five days later. He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C.

Personal Life

Lincoln married Mary Todd in 1842, and they had four children together: Robert Todd Lincoln, Edward Baker Lincoln, William Wallace Lincoln, and Thomas "Tad" Lincoln. Despite his busy schedule as a lawyer and politician, Lincoln made time for his family and was known for his devotion to his wife and children.

Legacy

Lincoln's legacy is one of strong leadership during wartime and his commitment to ending slavery. His Gettysburg Address is considered one of the greatest speeches in American history, and his Emancipation Proclamation paved the way for the eventual abolition of slavery. Lincoln's life is also marked by his humble beginnings and his rise from poverty to become one of the most respected leaders in American history. He is remembered as a symbol of American values such as honesty, integrity, and perseverance.