| ABRAHAM LINCOLN 
Abraham Lincoln was a successful lawyer in
Springfield, Illinois, and had served in the Illinois
State Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives,
but was virtually unknown outside of Illinois. He gained
national recognition when he debated slavery with Stephen
A. Douglas during an 1858 campaign for the U.S. Senate.
Although he ultimately lost the senatorial election, his
oratorical skills drew the attention of the newly-formed
Republican Party, which nominated him as its first
candidate for President in 1860.
Chronology of His Life and Career
|
February 12, 1809 |
Born near present-day Hodgenville, Kentucky. |
| |
1811 |
Moved with family to Knob Creek, Kentucky. |
| |
1816 |
Moved with family to Indiana. |
| |
October 1818 |
His mother, Nancy Lincoln, died. |
| |
1830 |
Moved with family to Illinois. |
| |
1831 |
Moved on his own to New Salem, Illinois. |
| |
1832 |
Served as a militiaman during the Black Hawk
War. |
| |
1832 |
Defeated in bid for the Illinois State
Legislature. |
| |
1832 |
Bought a store in New Salem. |
| |
1832 |
Appointed postmaster of New Salem, and
assistant county surveyor. |
| |
1834 |
Elected to the Illinois General Assembly. |
| |
1836 |
Admitted to the Illinois bar. |
|
1837 |
Moved to Springfield,
Illinois, and opened a law practice. |
|
November 4, 1842 |
Married Mary
Todd. |
| |
1846 |
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. |
| |
May 22, 1849 |
Patented a device for lifting a boat over
shoals and obstructions. |
|
1858 |
Debated slavery with
Stephen A. Douglas. |
|
November 6, 1860 |
Elected President
of the United States. |
| |
November 8, 1864 |
Re-elected President. |
|
April 14, 1865 |
Shot by John Wilkes
Booth. |
| |
April 15, 1865 |
Died in Washington, D.C. |
|
October 15, 1874 |
Lincoln's tomb was
dedicated. |
Links of Interest
Abraham Lincoln Online www.abrahamlincolnonline.org
Lincoln Home National Historic Site www.nps.gov
See Also
Mary Todd Lincoln
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
John Wilkes Booth
Questions
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