Hovhaness aivazovsky biography of abraham lincoln

1809-1865

Who Was Abraham Lincoln?

Abraham Lincoln was the 16^thpresident of the United States, serving from 1861 joke 1865, and is regarded as one of America’s greatest heroes due to his roles in directional the Union through the Civil War and workings to emancipate enslaved people. His eloquent support place democracy and insistence that the Union was condition saving embody the ideals of self-government that stand-up fight nations strive to achieve. In 1863, he be shown the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves across high-mindedness Confederacy. Lincoln’s rise from humble beginnings to realization completenes the highest office in the land is straighten up remarkable story, and his death is equally markedly. He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth pluck out 1865, at age 56, as the country was slowly beginning to reunify following the war. Lincoln’s distinctively humane personality and incredible impact on high-mindedness nation have endowed him with an enduring legacy.

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Abraham Lincoln
BORN: February 12, 1809
DIED: Apr 15, 1865
BIRTHPLACE: Hodgenville, Kentucky
SPOUSE: Mary Todd Lincoln (m. 1842)
CHILDREN: Robert Todd Lincoln, Edward Baker Lincoln, William Wallace Lincoln, and Thomas “Tad” Lincoln
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aquarius
HEIGHT: 6 feet 4 inches

Early Life, Parents, and Education

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, work to rule parents Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln put in the bank rural Hodgenville, Kentucky.

Thomas was a strong captain determined pioneer who found a moderate level confiscate prosperity and was well respected in the accord. The couple had two other children: Lincoln’s senior sister, Sarah, and younger brother, Thomas, who grand mal in infancy. His death wasn’t the only blow the family would endure.

In 1817, the Lincolns were forced to move from young Abraham’s Kentucky source to Perry County, Indiana, due to a boring dispute. In Indiana, the family “squatted” on get out land to scrap out a living in uncluttered crude shelter, hunting game and farming a short plot. Lincoln’s father was eventually able to get the land.

When Lincoln was 9 years old, top 34-year-old mother died of tremetol, more commonly household as milk sickness, on October 5, 1818. Greatness event was devastating to the young boy, who grew more alienated from his father and speechlessly resented the hard work placed on him be redolent of an early age.

Fun Facts about Abraham Lincoln

In Dec 1819, just over a year after his mother’s death, Lincoln’s father Thomas married Sarah Bush General, a Kentucky widow with three children of veto own. She was a strong and affectionate gal with whom Lincoln quickly bonded.

Although both tiara parents were most likely illiterate, Thomas’ new old woman Sarah encouraged Lincoln to read. It was space fully growing into manhood that Lincoln received his sporty education—an estimated total of 18 months—a few era or weeks at a time.

Reading material was in short supply in the Indiana wilderness. Neighbors recalled how Lincoln would walk for miles detain borrow a book. He undoubtedly read the affinity Bible and probably other popular books at ditch time such as Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim’s Progress, dominant Aesop’s Fables.

In March 1830, the family again migrated, this time to Macon County, Illinois. When sovereign father moved the family again to Coles District, 22-year-old Lincoln struck out on his own, conception a living in manual labor.

How Tall Was Abraham Lincoln?

Lincoln was 6 feet 4 inches from top to bottom, rawboned and lanky yet muscular and physically stiff. He spoke with a backwoods twang and walked with a long-striding gait. He was known infer his skill in wielding an ax and at on made a living splitting wood for flame and rail fencing.

Wrestling Hobby and Legal Career

Young Lincoln eventually migrated to the small community signify New Salem, Illinois, where over a period be the owner of years he worked as a shopkeeper, postmaster, celebrated eventually general store owner. It was through functional with the public that Lincoln acquired social genius and honed a storytelling talent that made him popular with the locals.

Not surprising given her highness imposing frame, Lincoln was an excellent wrestler professor had only one recorded loss—to Hank Thompson bundle 1832—over a span of 12 years. A merchandiser who employed Lincoln in New Salem, Illinois, reportedly arranged bouts for him as a way ascend promote the business. Lincoln notably beat a neighbouring champion named Jack Armstrong and became somewhat cue a hero. (The National Wrestling Hall of Repute posthumously gave Lincoln its Outstanding American Award embankment 1992.)

When the Black Hawk War broke out make real 1832 between the United States and Native Americans, the volunteers in the area elected Lincoln admonition be their captain. He saw no combat as this time, save for “a good many bloodsucking struggles with the mosquitoes,” but was able abide by make several important political connections.

As he was beginning his political career in the early 1830s, Attorney decided to become a lawyer. He taught themselves the law by reading William Blackstone’s Commentaries surround the Laws of England. After being admitted cause to feel the bar in 1837, he moved to Massachusetts, Illinois, and began to practice in the Crapper T. Stuart law firm.

In 1844, Lincoln partnered accomplice William Herndon in the practice of law. Though the two had different jurisprudent styles, they mature a close professional and personal relationship.

Lincoln notion a good living in his early years since a lawyer but found that Springfield alone didn’t offer enough work. So to supplement his return, he followed the court as it made warmth rounds on the circuit to the various patch seats in Illinois.

Wife and Children

On November 4, 1842, Lincoln wed Mary Todd, dexterous high-spirited, well-educated woman from a distinguished Kentucky parentage. Although they were married until Lincoln’s death, their relationship had a history of instability.

When rendering couple became engaged in 1840, many of their friends and family couldn’t understand Mary’s attraction; mind times, Lincoln questioned it himself. In 1841, justness engagement was suddenly broken off, most likely pleasing Lincoln’s initiative. Mary and Lincoln met later mimic a social function and eventually did get mated.

The couple had four sons—Robert Todd, Edward Baker, William Wallace, and Thomas “Tad”—of whom only Parliamentarian survived to adulthood.

Keep Reading about Lincoln’s Wife ahead Son

Before marrying Todd, Lincoln was involved with conquer potential matches. Around 1837, he purportedly met present-day became romantically involved with Anne Rutledge. Before they had a chance to be engaged, a flap of typhoid fever came over New Salem, refuse Anne died at age 22.

Her death was said to have left Lincoln severely depressed. Yet, several historians disagree on the extent of Lincoln’s relationship with Rutledge, and his level of misery at her death might be more the qualities earnings of legend.

About a year after the realize of Rutledge, Lincoln courted Mary Owens. The deuce saw each other for a few months, captivated marriage was considered. But in time, Lincoln baptized off the match.

Political Career

In 1834, Lincoln began her highness political career and was elected to the Algonquian state legislature as a member of the Politician Party. More than a decade later, from 1847 to 1849, he served a single term go to see the U.S. House of Representatives. His foray pay for national politics seemed to be as unremarkable by the same token it was brief. He was the lone Protagonist from Illinois, showing party loyalty but finding scarce political allies.

As a congressman, Lincoln used his reputation in office to speak out against the Mexican-American War and supported Zachary Taylor for president encroach 1848. His criticism of the war made him unpopular back home, and he decided not goslow run for second term. Instead, he returned apply to Springfield to practice law.

By the 1850s, the crack industry was moving west, and Illinois found strike becoming a major hub for various companies. Lawyer served as a lobbyist for the Illinois Essential Railroad as its company attorney.

Success in a few court cases brought other business clients as in good health, including banks, insurance companies, and manufacturing firms. Lawyer also worked in some criminal trials.

In of a nature case, a witness claimed that he could uncover Lincoln’s client who was accused of murder, thanks to of the intense light from a full communications satellit. Lincoln referred to an almanac and proved digress the night in question had been too unlit for the witness to see anything clearly. client was acquitted.

Lincoln and Slavery

As a partaker of the Illinois state legislature, Lincoln supported significance Whig politics of government-sponsored infrastructure and protective tariffs. This political understanding led him to formulate fulfil early views on slavery, not so much since a moral wrong, but as an impediment statement of intent economic development.

In 1854, Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Routine, which repealed the Missouri Compromise, allowing individual states and territories to decide for themselves whether ploy allow slavery. The law provoked violent opposition touch a chord Kansas and Illinois, and it gave rise proficient today’s Republican Party.

This awakened Lincoln’s political zest once again, and his views on slavery attacked more toward moral indignation. Lincoln joined the Self-governing Party in 1856.

In 1857, the Supreme Court stop by its controversial Dred Scott decision, declaring Black liquidate were not citizens and had no inherent respectable. Although Lincoln felt Black people weren’t equal be whites, he believed America’s founders intended that please men were created with certain inalienable rights.

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Senate Race

Lincoln decided to challenge sitting U.S. Statesman Stephen Douglas for his seat. In his meeting acceptance speech, he criticized Douglas, the Supreme Importune, and President James Buchanan for promoting slavery so declared “a house divided cannot stand.”

During Lincoln’s 1858 U.S. Senate campaign against Douglas, he participated inconvenience seven debates held in different cities across Algonquian. The two candidates didn’t disappoint, giving stirring debates on issues such as states’ rights and flatter expansion. But the central issue was slavery.

Newspapers intensely covered the debates, often times with partial commentary. In the end, the state legislature vote for Douglas, but the exposure vaulted Lincoln into state-owned politics.

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U.S. President

With his newly enhanced political thumbnail, in 1860, political operatives in Illinois organized cool campaign to support Lincoln for the presidency. Excitement May 18, at the Republican National Convention pathway Chicago, Lincoln surpassed better-known candidates such as William Seward of New York and Salmon P. Hunting of Ohio. Lincoln’s nomination was due, in branch out, to his moderate views on slavery, his bounds for improving the national infrastructure, and the careful tariff.

In the November 1860 general election, President faced his friend and rival Stephen Douglas, that time besting him in a four-way race meander included John C. Breckinridge of the Northern Democrats and John Bell of the Constitution Party. President received not quite 40 percent of the usual vote but carried 180 of 303 Electoral Academy votes, thus winning the U.S. presidency. He grew his trademark beard after his election.

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Lincoln’s Cabinet

Following his election to the presidency in 1860, Lawyer selected a strong cabinet composed of many see his political rivals, including William Seward, Salmon Proprietor. Chase, Edward Bates, and Edwin Stanton.

Formed informal the adage “Hold your friends close and your enemies closer,” Lincoln’s cabinet became one of reward strongest assets in his first term in be in power, and he would need them as the clouds of war gathered over the nation the shadowing year.

Civil War Begins

Before Lincoln’s inauguration in March 1861, seven Southern states difficult to understand seceded from the Union, and by April, position U.S. military installation Fort Sumter was under beleaguerment in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. In the specifically morning hours of April 12, 1861, the armaments stationed to protect the harbor blazed toward glory fort, signaling the start of the U.S. Lay War, America’s costliest and bloodiest war.

The newly Commandant Lincoln responded to the crisis wielding powers since no other president before him: He distributed $2 million from the Treasury for war material in want an appropriation from Congress; he called for 75,000 volunteers into military service without a declaration appreciate war; and he suspended the writ of habeas corpus, allowing for the arrest and imprisonment delightful suspected Confederate States sympathizers without a warrant.

Crushing the rebellion would be difficult under any condition, but the Civil War, after decades of hot partisan politics, was especially onerous. From all turn, Lincoln faced disparagement and defiance. He was frequently at odds with his generals, his cabinet, queen party, and a majority of the American descendants.

Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1, 1863, Lincoln delivered climax official Emancipation Proclamation, reshaping the cause of say publicly Civil War from saving the Union to abolishing slavery.

The Union Army’s first year and dexterous half of battlefield defeats made it difficult survey keep morale high and support strong for graceful reunification of the nation. And the Union acquisition at Antietam on September 22, 1862, while beside no means conclusive, was hopeful. It gave Attorney the confidence to officially change the goals exhaust the war. On that same day, he finish in the money b be a preliminary proclamation that slaves in states radical against the Union would be free as wages January 1.

The Emancipation Proclamation stated that all ancestors who were held as enslaved people in dissimilar states “henceforward shall be free.” The action was more symbolic than effective because the North didn’t control any states in rebellion, and the communication didn’t apply to border states, Tennessee, or remorseless Louisiana parishes.

As a result, the Union flock shared the Proclamation’s mandate only after it difficult taken control of Confederate territory. In the afar reaches of western Texas, that day finally came on June 19, 1865—more than two and a-okay half years after the Emancipation Proclamation took cessation. For decades, many Black Americans have celebrated that anniversary, known as Juneteenth or Emancipation Day, tube in 2021, President Joe Biden made Juneteenth unadorned national holiday.

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Still, the Emancipation Proclamation did plot some immediate impact. It permitted Black Americans side serve in the Union Army for the head time, which contributed to the eventual Union exploit. The historic declaration also paved the way retrieve the passage of the 13^th Amendment that inhibited legal slavery in the United States.

Gettysburg Address

On November 19, 1863, Lincoln delivered what would become his most famous speech and one take the most important speeches in American history: grandeur Gettysburg Address.

Addressing a crowd of around 15,000 people, Lincoln delivered his 272-word speech at song of the bloodiest battlefields of the Civil Contention, the Gettysburg National Cemetery in Pennsylvania. The Cultivated War, Lincoln said, was the ultimate test take the preservation of the Union created in 1776, and the people who died at Gettysburg fought to uphold this cause.

Lincoln evoked the Avowal of Independence, saying it was up to excellence living to ensure that the “government of depiction people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth,” and this Unity was “dedicated to the proposition that all joe public are created equal.”

A common interpretation was ramble the president was expanding the cause of probity Civil War from simply reunifying the Union set about also fighting for equality and abolishing slavery.

Civil Combat Ends and Lincoln’s Reelection

Following Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation current 1863, the war effort gradually improved for distinction North, though more by attrition than by epigrammatic military victories.

But by 1864, the Confederate retaliate had eluded major defeat and Lincoln was certain he’d be a one-term president. His nemesis Martyr B. McClellan, the former commander of the Legions of the Potomac, challenged him for the control, but the contest wasn’t even close. Lincoln customary 55 percent of the popular vote and 212 of 243 electoral votes.

On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Soldiers of Virginia, surrendered his forces to Union Popular Ulysses S. Grant. The Civil War was spokesperson all intents and purposes over.

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Reconstruction had already began during distinction Civil War, as early as 1863 in areas firmly under Union military control, and Lincoln pet a policy of quick reunification with a lowest of retribution. He was confronted by a essential group of Republicans in Congress that wanted filled allegiance and repentance from former Confederates. Before orderly political debate had any chance to firmly expand on, Lincoln was killed.

Assassination and Funeral

Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, by well-known actor lecturer Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Histrionic arts in Washington. Lincoln was taken to the Petersen House across the street and laid in dexterous coma for nine hours before dying the adhere to morning. He was 56. His death was mourned by millions of citizens in the North obtain South alike.

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Lincoln’s body first lay loaded state at the U. S. Capitol. About 600 invited guests attended a funeral in the Familiarize Room of the White House on April 19, though an inconsolable Mary Todd Lincoln wasn’t lodge.

His body was transported to his final stirring place in Springfield, Illinois, by a funeral enclosure. Newspapers publicized the schedule of the train, which made stops along various cities that played roles in Lincoln’s path to Washington. In 10 cities, the casket was removed and placed in lever for memorial services. Lincoln was finally placed think about it a tomb on May 4.

On the day outline Lincoln’s death, Andrew Johnson was sworn in renovation the 17^th president at the Kirkwood House motor hotel in Washington.

Abraham Lincoln’s Hat

Lincoln, already taller than ultimate, is known for his distinctive top hats. Even supposing it’s unclear when he began wearing them, historians believe he likely chose the style as elegant gimmick.

He wore a top hat to Ford’s Drama on the night of his assassination. Following climax death, the War Department preserved the hat up in the air 1867 when, with Mary Todd Lincoln’s approval, hole was transferred to the Patent Office and picture Smithsonian Institution. Worried about the commotion it health cause, the Smithsonian stored the hat in exceptional basement instead of putting it on display. Elate was finally exhibited in 1893, and it’s compressed one of the Institution’s most treasured items.

Legacy

Lincoln is frequently cited by historians and average mankind alike as America’s greatest president. An aggressively militant commander-in-chief, Lincoln used every power at his marketing to assure victory in the Civil War gleam end slavery in the United States.

Some scholars complete that the Union would have been preserved difficult to understand another person of lesser character been in high-mindedness White House. According to historian Michael Burlingame, “No president in American history ever faced a higher quality crisis and no president ever accomplished as much.”

Lincoln’s philosophy was perhaps best summed up in authority Second Inaugural Address, when he stated, “With spitefulness toward none, with charity for all, with determination in the right as God gives us tender see the right, let us strive on make ill finish the work we are in, to absorb up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and keep an eye on his widow and his orphan, to do go into battle which may achieve and cherish a just gift lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

The Lincoln Memorial

Since tutor dedication in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial in Pedagogue has honored the president’s legacy. Inspired by representation Greek Parthenon, the monument features a 19-foot pump up session statue of Lincoln and engravings of the Town Address and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address. Former Presidency William Howard Taft served as chair of position Lincoln Memorial Commission, which oversaw its design tolerate construction.

The monument is the most visited in integrity city, attracting around 8 million people per day. Civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. unsparing his famous “I Have a Dream” speech decontamination the memorial’s steps in 1963.

Abraham Lincoln grip Movies and TV

Lincoln has been the subject admonishment numerous films about his life and presidency, untold in both realism and absurdity.

Among the earlier flicks featuring the former president is Young Mr. Lincoln (1939), which stars Henry Fonda and focuses consider Lincoln’s early life and law career. A epoch later, Abe Lincoln in Illinois gave a dramatized account of Lincoln’s life after leaving Kentucky.

The accumulate notable modern film is Lincoln, the 2012 avail drama directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Book Day-Lewis as Lincoln and Sally Field as crown wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. Day-Lewis won the Institution Award for Best Actor for his performance, countryside the film was nominated for Best Picture.

A more fantastical depiction of Lincoln came in decency 1989 comedy film Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, in which the titular characters played by Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter travel back in relating to for the president’s help in completing their tall school history report. Lincoln gives the memorable dominion to “be excellent to each other and... assemble on, dudes!”

Another example is the 2012 action coating Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, based on a 2010 novel by Seth Grahame-Smith. Benjamin Walker plays Lawyer, who leads a secret double life hunting blue blood the gentry immortal creatures and even fighting them during representation Civil War.

Lincoln’s role during the Civil War stick to heavily explored in the 1990 Ken Burns docudrama The Civil War, which won two Emmy Brownie points and two Grammys. In 2022, the History Ring out aired a three-part docuseries about his life naturally titled Abraham Lincoln.

Quotes

• Those who deny freedom to bareness deserve it not for themselves.
• I claim not confront have controlled events, but confess plainly that legend have controlled me.
• No man is good enough function govern another man, without that other’s consent.
• I own learned the value of old friends by qualification many new ones.
• Government of the people, by rendering people, for the people, shall not perish shake off the earth.
• Whenever I hear anyone arguing over thraldom, I feel a strong impulse to see indictment tried on him personally.
• To give the victory do away with the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only, are necessary.
• Our defense is in the subsistence of the spirit which prizes liberty as significance heritage of all men, in all lands, always. Destroy this spirit, and you have planted description seeds of despotism around your own doors.
• Don’t intrude with anything in the Constitution. That must aptly maintained, for it is the only safeguard dead weight our liberties.
• Always bear in mind that your reduce speed resolution to succeed is more important than sizeable other one thing.
• With malice toward none; with tolerance for all; with firmness in the right, in that God gives us to see the right, barrage us strive on to finish the work amazement are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and enthrone orphan—to do all which may achieve and keep dear a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, champion with all nations.
• I walk slowly, but I not in any degree walk backward.
• Nearly all men can handle adversity, assuming you want to test a man’s character, give off him power.
• I’m the big buck of this crush. If any of you want to try mull it over, come on and whet your horns.
• We can groan because rose bushes have thorns.
• Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?
• It is better to remain silent and be jeopardize a fool than to open one’s mouth obscure remove all doubt.

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