50 Fun Facts About Abraham Lincoln

In what year was Abraham Lincoln born?

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky.

Which state did Abraham Lincoln represent in the U.S. Senate race of 1858?

Lincoln ran for the U.S. Senate from Illinois in 1858 against Stephen A. Douglas. Though he lost the Senate race, the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates made him a national figure.

What was the name of the theater where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated?

Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., on the evening of April 14, 1865, while watching the play Our American Cousin.

Which political party did Abraham Lincoln belong to when elected president?

Lincoln was the first Republican president, elected in 1860. He had previously been a Whig but joined the newly formed Republican Party in the 1850s.

What document did Lincoln sign on January 1, 1863, declaring slaves in Confederate states to be free?

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, declared that all enslaved people in Confederate states were to be set free. It did not immediately free all slaves but transformed the war into a fight for human liberty.

What number president of the United States was Abraham Lincoln?

Abraham Lincoln served as the 16th President of the United States from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865.

What was Abraham Lincoln's wife's first name?

Mary Todd Lincoln married Abraham Lincoln on November 4, 1842, in Springfield, Illinois. She was known for her strong personality and later struggled with the deaths of three of their four sons.

Before becoming president, what profession did Lincoln practice?

Lincoln was a self-taught lawyer who earned his license in 1836. He practiced law in Springfield, Illinois, and became one of the most respected attorneys in the state before entering politics full-time.

In which state was Abraham Lincoln born?

Lincoln was born in Hardin County (now LaRue County), Kentucky, on February 12, 1809. His family moved to Indiana when he was seven and later to Illinois.

What famous speech did Lincoln deliver on November 19, 1863?

The Gettysburg Address, delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is one of the most quoted speeches in American history. It lasted just over two minutes.

Who assassinated Abraham Lincoln?

John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor and Confederate sympathizer, shot Lincoln at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. Booth was tracked down and killed 12 days later.

What was the name of the series of debates between Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in 1858?

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates were a series of seven debates held across Illinois during the 1858 Senate campaign. They focused primarily on the issue of slavery and its expansion into new territories.

What nickname was commonly used for Abraham Lincoln?

Lincoln was nicknamed The Rail-Splitter because of his early work splitting logs for rail fences. He was also called Honest Abe for his reputation for integrity.

Which constitutional amendment, championed by Lincoln, formally abolished slavery throughout the United States?

The 13th Amendment, passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, and ratified on December 6, 1865, formally abolished slavery throughout the United States. Lincoln worked hard to secure its passage.

Who served as Lincoln's first Vice President?

Hannibal Hamlin of Maine served as Lincoln's Vice President during his first term (1861-1865). For his second term, Lincoln chose Andrew Johnson, a Southern Democrat, to appeal to War Democrats.

What play was being performed at Ford's Theatre the night Lincoln was shot?

Our American Cousin, a comedic play by Tom Taylor, was being performed on the evening of April 14, 1865. Booth timed his shot to coincide with a moment of loud audience laughter.

Which battle is considered the turning point of the Civil War, occurring just months before the Gettysburg Address?

The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) is widely considered the turning point of the Civil War. The Union victory ended General Lee's second invasion of the North. Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at the battlefield's dedication four months later.

What did Lincoln's Homestead Act of 1862 provide?

The Homestead Act of 1862 granted 160 acres of public land to any adult citizen (or intended citizen) who paid a small filing fee and agreed to improve the land by living on it for five years.

How tall was Abraham Lincoln?

At 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm), Lincoln remains the tallest president in American history. His height was notable even in his own time and contributed to his distinctive physical presence.

Which general did Lincoln appoint as commander of all Union armies in March 1864?

Lincoln appointed Ulysses S. Grant as General-in-Chief of all Union armies in March 1864. Grant's aggressive strategy eventually led to Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House in April 1865.

Which famous Lincoln speech contains the line "A house divided against itself cannot stand"?

Lincoln delivered the House Divided Speech on June 16, 1858, upon accepting the Illinois Republican nomination for Senate. The biblical reference warned that the nation could not endure permanently half slave and half free.

How many sons did Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln have?

The Lincolns had four sons: Robert Todd (1843), Edward Baker (1846), William Wallace (1850), and Thomas "Tad" (1853). Only Robert survived to adulthood. Edward died at age 3, William at 11, and Tad at 18.

What was the first state to secede from the Union after Lincoln's election in 1860?

South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union on December 20, 1860, just six weeks after Lincoln's election. Six more states followed before Lincoln even took office on March 4, 1861.

On which U.S. currency does Abraham Lincoln's portrait appear?

Lincoln's portrait has appeared on the $5 bill since 1914. He also appears on the penny (one-cent coin), which has featured his image since 1909, the centennial of his birth.

What concept did Lincoln describe as government "of the people, by the people, for the people"?

In the closing line of the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln declared that the nation shall have "a new birth of freedom" and that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

What was Lincoln's position on slavery when he first ran for president in 1860?

Lincoln's 1860 platform focused on preventing slavery's expansion into new territories, not immediate abolition. He personally opposed slavery but initially prioritized preserving the Union. His views evolved during the war toward full abolition.

Where did Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrender to Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War?

Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865, just five days before Lincoln's assassination. The surrender effectively ended the Civil War, though some Confederate forces continued fighting for weeks.

Which president's memorial in Washington, D.C., features a massive seated statue of Lincoln?

The Lincoln Memorial, dedicated in 1922, features a 19-foot marble statue of a seated Lincoln designed by Daniel Chester French. It has become one of the most iconic landmarks in Washington, D.C.

What legislation signed by Lincoln in 1862 provided federal funding for land-grant colleges?

The Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1862, signed by Lincoln, donated public lands to states to finance colleges focused on agriculture and mechanical arts. Many major state universities, including Cornell and MIT, trace their origins to this act.

What did Lincoln do before becoming a lawyer?

Before studying law, Lincoln held various jobs including store clerk, postmaster of New Salem, and surveyor. He also worked as a rail-splitter and flatboatman. He was largely self-educated, reading voraciously by firelight.

What book famously influenced Lincoln's views on slavery and is attributed to Harriet Beecher Stowe?

Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) by Harriet Beecher Stowe galvanized anti-slavery sentiment in the North. Lincoln allegedly greeted Stowe with the words, "So you're the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war."

Who was Lincoln's Secretary of State, a former rival who became a close ally?

William H. Seward, who had been the frontrunner for the 1860 Republican nomination, became Lincoln's Secretary of State. Initially dismissive of Lincoln, Seward grew into one of his most loyal advisors. Seward was also stabbed the night Lincoln was shot, as part of the broader assassination conspiracy.

What was the name of the small town in Illinois where Lincoln lived before moving to Springfield?

Lincoln lived in New Salem, Illinois, from 1831 to 1837. There he worked as a store clerk, postmaster, and surveyor while studying law on his own. The reconstructed village is now a state historic site.

On what date was Abraham Lincoln assassinated?

Lincoln was shot on the evening of April 14, 1865 (Good Friday), and died the following morning, April 15, 1865. He was the first U.S. president to be assassinated.

What was the significance of the Transcontinental Railroad Act signed by Lincoln in 1862?

The Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 authorized the construction of the first transcontinental railroad, connecting Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Sacramento, California. It was completed in 1869, four years after Lincoln's death.

Which Lincoln son died in the White House in 1862, devastating both Abraham and Mary?

William "Willie" Lincoln died on February 20, 1862, at age 11, likely of typhoid fever contracted from contaminated White House water. His death was one of the most painful events in Lincoln's life.

What did Lincoln suspend during the Civil War, allowing the military to arrest and detain individuals without trial?

Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus during the Civil War, allowing the military to arrest and hold suspected Confederate sympathizers without judicial review. This controversial action was later upheld by Congress in 1863.

What political office did Lincoln hold before becoming president?

Lincoln served one term as a U.S. Representative from Illinois (1847-1849). He was not particularly distinguished in Congress and did not seek re-election. He returned to national politics a decade later through the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

Who became president after Lincoln's assassination?

Andrew Johnson, Lincoln's second Vice President, became the 17th President upon Lincoln's death. Johnson's lenient Reconstruction policies clashed with Congress, leading to his impeachment (though he was acquitted by one vote).

What was Lincoln's Cooper Union Address in 1860 primarily about?

In his February 1860 speech at Cooper Union in New York City, Lincoln meticulously argued that the Founding Fathers intended the federal government to have the power to restrict slavery in new territories. The speech catapulted him to national prominence and helped secure the Republican nomination.

What book by Doris Kearns Goodwin examines Lincoln's political genius in assembling his cabinet from rival candidates?

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln (2005) by Doris Kearns Goodwin chronicles how Lincoln appointed his three main competitors for the 1860 Republican nomination to his cabinet and won their loyalty.

What was the name of the woman Lincoln was reportedly in love with before marrying Mary Todd?

Ann Rutledge, who died in 1835, is widely believed to have been Lincoln's first love. Her early death reportedly left Lincoln deeply depressed. The extent of their relationship remains debated by historians.

In what year was Lincoln elected to his first term as president?

Lincoln was elected president on November 6, 1860, winning with just under 40% of the popular vote in a four-way race. His election prompted the secession of Southern states before he even took office.

What Civil War battle in September 1862 gave Lincoln the military victory he needed to issue the Emancipation Proclamation?

The Battle of Antietam (September 17, 1862) was the bloodiest single day in American military history. Though technically a draw, Lee's retreat gave Lincoln enough of a Union victory to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation five days later.

Which famous orator spoke for two hours at Gettysburg before Lincoln gave his two-minute address?

Edward Everett, one of America's most renowned orators, delivered a 13,607-word speech lasting over two hours at Gettysburg. Lincoln's 272-word address followed. Everett later wrote to Lincoln: "I wish that I could flatter myself that I had come as near to the central idea of the occasion in two hours as you did in two minutes."

What was the primary purpose of the National Banking Act signed by Lincoln in 1863?

The National Banking Act of 1863 created a system of national banks and a uniform national currency (greenbacks) to help finance the Civil War. It established the foundation for the modern American banking system.

Which of Lincoln's sons survived to old age?

Robert Todd Lincoln (1843-1926) was the only Lincoln son to survive to adulthood and old age. He served as Secretary of War under Presidents Garfield and Arthur, and later as U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom.

What was Lincoln's Secretary of War Edwin Stanton reportedly said at Lincoln's deathbed?

When Lincoln died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton reportedly said, "Now he belongs to the ages" (some accounts say "angels"). The phrase has become one of the most famous quotes in American history.

Where is Abraham Lincoln buried?

Lincoln is buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois, in the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site. The tomb also holds the remains of Mary Todd Lincoln and three of their four sons.

How many popular votes did Lincoln receive when he won his first presidential election in 1860?

Lincoln received approximately 1,866,452 popular votes (39.8%) in the 1860 election. He won because the opposition was split among three other candidates: Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge, and John Bell. Despite his low popular vote percentage, Lincoln won a decisive Electoral College victory with 180 of 303 electoral votes.