Story of Abraham Lincoln

Written by: Paige Leal

Abraham Lincoln is known as one of the most important presidents in U.S. history. He is still honored and spotted today on things like the penny and the 5 dollar bill, but his life didn’t start out easy at all. From growing up in poverty to leading the country through one of its hardest times, Lincoln had a lot of determination. His life shows how someone can rise from almost nothing and still make a huge impact.

Early Life

Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809 in a small log cabin in Kentucky. His family didn’t have much money, and he didn’t get much formal education. In fact, he only went to school for about a year total, but he taught himself by reading books whenever he could. When he was young, his family moved to Indiana and later to Illinois, where he worked many different jobs like farming, storekeeping, and even serving as a postmaster. 

Even though he didn’t have a strong education, Lincoln was determined to improve himself. He taught himself law and eventually became a lawyer. People respected him for being honest and fair, which is how he got the nickname “Honest Abe.” He later got involved in politics and served in the Illinois state legislature.

Presidency

Lincoln became president in 1861 during a time when the United States was extremely divided over slavery. Soon after he took office, the Civil War began between the North and the South. His main goal at first was to keep the country together, but over time he also focused on ending slavery. Lincoln got a lot of hate for trying to end slavery, but despite that he still took action. One of his most important actions was the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that enslaved people in Confederate states were free. 

As president, Lincoln had to make many difficult decisions during the war. Even though not everyone agreed with him, he was able to lead the country through the conflict and keep the Union from breaking apart. He was reelected in 1864, showing that many people trusted his leadership during such a stressful time. 

Assassination

Sadly, Lincoln’s life was cut short. In 1865, just days after the Civil War ended, he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play in Washington, D.C. His death shocked the nation, and many people saw him as a hero who helped save the country. 

Overall, Abraham Lincoln’s life is remembered because of how much he accomplished despite his struggles. From a small cabin to the White House, he showed that hard work and determination can lead to something much bigger.