Abraham Lincoln
- Born:
- February 12, 1809, Sinking Spring Farm, Hodgenville, Kentucky, USA
- Died:
- April 15, 1865, Petersen House, Washington, D.C., USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Lawyer, Politician, Statesman, 16th President of the United States
Early Life and Education
- Born in a log cabin in Kentucky to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln.
- Largely self-educated; received less than a year of formal schooling.
- Family moved to Indiana in 1816 and then to Illinois in 1830.
- Studied law independently.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a rail-splitter, flatboatman, storekeeper, and postmaster.
- Admitted to the Illinois bar in 1836.
- Served in the Illinois State Legislature (1834-1842).
- Served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives (1847-1849).
- Engaged in a series of debates with Stephen Douglas during the 1858 Illinois Senate race.
- Elected as the 16th President of the United States in 1860.
- Led the Union through the American Civil War (1861-1865).
- Issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, declaring the freedom of slaves in Confederate territories.
- Promoted the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery.
- Delivered the Gettysburg Address in 1863.
- Re-elected President in 1864.
- Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, and died the following day.
Notable Works
- The Emancipation Proclamation (1863)
- The Gettysburg Address (1863)
- Various speeches and letters documenting his political and personal beliefs.
Legacy and Impact
Abraham Lincoln is considered one of the greatest presidents in American history. His leadership during the Civil War preserved the Union and led to the abolition of slavery. This document serves as a concise rendition of the 'ycee biography of abraham lincoln', encapsulating his key life events and contributions.