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Enters Politics
Lincoln was interested in politics ever since a young age. He was a strong supporter of the Whig Party. At the age of 25 he is elected into the Illinois legislation. -
Married
Recently moving to Springfield, Lincoln works as a lawyer. He eventually earns the nickname “Honest Abe.” Not long later, he marries Mary Todd. -
President Lincoln
The Republican party officially began on March 20, 1854. Lincoln becomes the first president from the Republicans because the Democrats were divided. Abraham defeated the other candidates which included Stephen Douglas. -
Emancipation Proclamation Prelim.
President Lincoln writes a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. He is advised to not release the proclamation yet because of recent losses in battle. They waited until a big victory was achieved over the Confederacy. -
McClellan is Fired
In September, a battle at Antietam occurred in which Union forces turned up victorious. After the battle however, the man in charge of the North’s side, George McClellan, refused to pursue Lee which would have crippled the South’s army. Because of this, Lincoln fires McClellan. -
Gettysburg Address
November 19, 1863 - After the biggest battle of the war, the first national cemetery is created. President Lincoln gives a 272 word speech known as the Gettysburg Address. This speech becomes one of the most famous ever delivered in America. -
Emancipation Proclamation
January 1, 1864 - The Emancipation Proclamation is issued. The document stated that all slaves within states in rebellion with the Union were to be forever free. This action by the North turned the war’s focus to slavery, preventing outside assistance to the Confederacy. -
Grant Takes Control
March 1864 - Lacking other sufficient commanding officers, Lincoln turns to his best general. Congress allows Lincoln to put Ulysses S. Grant in charge of Union army. This is the first time this has happened since George Washington. -
Thirteenth Amendment
Though the war had not officially ended yet, Lincoln was ready to end slavery. On the 31, the Thirteenth Amendment is passed. This frees all slaves in the United States. -
Assassinated
1865 - On April 13 Abraham Lincoln and his wife went to Ford’s Theater to see the play“Our American Cousin.” At around 10:00 p.m., John Wilkes Booth fired a bullet into the back of Lincoln’s head during the play. Even after all of the medical attention, Lincoln died at 7:22 on the morning of April 14.
