-
Birth
Abraham Lincoln was born on this day in Kentucky. -
loses first candidacy for political office
Lincoln, after serving in the Blackhawk wars (he didn't see any combat), loses in his first attempt to win political office in the Illinois state legislature. -
elected to State legislature
At the age of 24 Lincoln is elected to the Illinois state legislature as a member of the Whig party. Around this time Lincoln also begins to study Law. -
Marriage to Mary-Todd
Lincoln is married to Mary-Todd Lincoln in Springfield, IL. Also in 1842, he chooses not to run for a fourth term in the IL general assembly, ending an eight year run in the legislative body. -
Birth of Robert Lincoln
Lincoln's first son is born. Also in 1843 Lincoln is defeated in his attempt to win the Whig nomination for the United States House of Representatives. -
Election to House of Representatives
Elected to United States House of Representatives for his first, and only term, in congress. -
Leaves politics
Lincoln leaves the House of Representatives to further pursue his career as a lawyer. -
Lincoln helps form the IL Republican party
Back in the political world, Lincoln helps to create the Republican party in IL. He recieves 110 votes to be the party's Vice president, but is not chosen. -
Lincoln-Douglas debates
Lincoln is chosen as the Republican candidate for the IL Senate seat. He runs against long-time political rival Stephen Douglas. They have a series of well documented debates refered to as the "Lincoln-Douglas debates". -
Presidential nomination
After a dramatic convention in Chicago IL, Lincoln is nominated presidential candidate for the Republican party. He runs against Stephen Douglas, John Breckenridge, and John Bell. -
Presidential Election
Lincoln is elected the 16th president of the United States of America. Shortly after South Carolina secedes from the Union and the nation is on the path to Civil War. -
The First Inaugural
Lincoln delivers his First Inaugural Adress which lays out his policy on the secession crisis, of which he says is "my policy is to have no policy" by this Lincoln meant that he could be flexible and adapt his views as the situation developed. -
Lincoln calls for troops
After Fort Sumter is attacked, Lincoln calls for troops to be raised for the defense of nation. Shortly after Virginia and other states secede and the Confederate States of America is formed. -
Willie Lincoln dies
After almost one year of frustration in the war, Lincon's problems are multiplied when his 11 year old son dies. To this point in the war, the Union has had little success, and Lincoln urges his generals to be aggressive. -
Slavery in territories resolved
Lincoln, who built his political career in the 1850's opposing slavery expansion, finally settles the issue by outlawing slavery in Federal territories. This is one of the first steps toward emancipation. -
Emancipation Proclomation
Lincoln first releases his plan for Emancipation. He warns seceeded states that they have until January 1, 1863 to rejoin the Union before Lincoln emancipates thier slaves without compensation. -
Emancipation Proclomation
Lincoln officially delivers the Emancipation Proclomation, which freed all slaves under Confederate control. This helped turn the tide of the war in the North's favor, by attacking the core of Southern society. -
Conscription
Lincoln signs a bill calling for the first draft in American history. This action is highly unpopular and causes riots throughout the country, most notably in New York City. -
Meets with Frederick Douglass
Lincoln meets with the most prominent member of the black community. They discuss emancipation and the introduction of black regiments into the Union army. -
Election of 1864
Lincoln is elected to a second term as President. -
The second inaugural
Lincoln delivers the second inaugural address, as the Union is near victory in the Civil War. -
Lincoln assasinated
Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth during a play at Ford's Theatre. He died the next morning
