“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. “
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln came from a very humble beginning to become the 16th President of the United States. He was born on February 12, 1809, 203 years ago. During his presidency, he led the Union in the Civil War, abolished slavery and sought to reunite the divided nation. President Lincoln was dedicated to the principles of nationalism, equal rights, liberty, and democracy.
Mr. Lincoln has been consistently ranked by scholars and the public as one of the three greatest U.S. presidents.
Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President from 1861 – 1865 (Wikipedia facts)
- Lincoln was most self-educated and a lawyer by profession.
- He opposed the expansion of slavery in the U.S. which secured him the Republican nomination and presidency in 1860.
- In March 1861, seven southern states declared their secession and formed the Confederacy.
- In 1863, Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation and promoted the passage of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, abolishing slavery.
- His Gettysburg Address in 1863, one of the most quoted speeches in America, was a statement of America’s dedication to the principles of freedom, equality and democracy.
- He was the first president to be assassinated. It happened six days after the surrender of the Confederate army.
I thought it fitting to end with this quote. Like me, I hope you find that Abraham Lincoln did strive to be worthy of our recognition.
“Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.” Abraham Lincoln
- Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, was never a national holiday. In 1971, President’s Day was declared a national holiday which combined both Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthdays.
- The only U.S. president to appear on a U.S. Airmail stamp.
- U.S. currency includes the $5.00 bill and the Lincoln penny, which represents the first regularly circulating U.S. coin to feature an actual person’s image.
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