Birth of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin on the Sinking Spring Farm in Hardin County, Kentucky (now LaRue County).
1809
1816
Lincoln Family Moves to Indiana
The Lincoln family moved to Indiana, a free state, due to land disputes and the legality of slavery in Kentucky.
1830
Lincoln Family Relocates to Illinois
Abraham Lincoln and his family relocated to Macon County, Illinois, where he began to work various jobs to support his family.
1832
Black Hawk War and Political Ambitions
Abraham Lincoln served as a captain in the Illinois militia during the Black Hawk War. He also made his first run for the Illinois General Assembly but was unsuccessful.
1834
Elected to Illinois General Assembly
Abraham Lincoln was elected to the Illinois General Assembly as a member of the Whig Party. He began studying law during this period.
1837
Admitted to the Bar and Moves to Springfield
Lincoln was admitted to the bar and began practicing law in Springfield, Illinois, where he partnered with John T. Stuart.
1842
Marriage to Mary Todd
Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd on November 4, 1842. The couple had four sons: Robert, Edward, William, and Thomas.
1846
Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
Lincoln was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served a single term from 1847 to 1849.
1854
Kansas-Nebraska Act and Political Reawakening
The Kansas-Nebraska Act prompted Lincoln to return to politics, leading to his opposition to the expansion of slavery.
1858
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Lincoln gained national recognition through the series of debates with Senator Stephen A. Douglas during the Illinois Senate race, although he lost the election.
1860
Elected 16th President of the United States
Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States, leading to the secession of Southern states and the onset of the Civil War.
1861
Inauguration and Civil War Begins
Lincoln was inaugurated as President on March 4, 1861. The Civil War began shortly after with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter.
1863
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring all slaves in Confederate-held territory free.
1863
Gettysburg Address
On November 19, 1863, Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, reaffirming the principles of liberty and equality.
1864
Re-elected as President
Abraham Lincoln was re-elected as President, defeating Democratic candidate George B. McClellan.
1865
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre and died the following day, marking the first assassination of a U.S. president.
