Biographical timeline of Abraham Lincoln, 16th US President who preserved the Union during the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery.
Chronological Storyline (43 Milestones)
Feb 12, 1809 CE
Abraham Lincoln Born in Kentucky
Abraham Lincoln is born in a one-room log cabin on Sinking Spring Farm in Hardin County, Kentucky. His frontier upbringing shapes his character and political views. #history #usa
Abraham Lincoln Born in Kentucky By Alexander Gardner - museums.fivecolleges.edu, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=159209291
1816 CE
Lincoln Family Moves to Indiana
The Lincoln family moves to Perry County, Indiana, due to land title disputes in Kentucky. The move exposes young Abraham to the frontier life and hard labor. #history #usa
Oct 5, 1818 CE
Death of Lincoln's Mother, Nancy Hanks
Nancy Hanks Lincoln dies of milk sickness, leaving young Abraham and his sister. This loss deeply affects him and he later develops a strong empathy for suffering. #history #family
Death of Lincoln's Mother, Nancy Hanks By National Park Service - Lincoln Home National Historic Site - http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/life.htm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25351235
1828 CE
Flatboat Trip to New Orleans
Lincoln helps take a flatboat of goods down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, where he reportedly witnesses a slave auction. This experience contributes to his anti-slavery views. #history #slavery
1830 CE
Lincoln Family Moves to Illinois
The Lincoln family relocates to Macon County, Illinois, seeking better land. Abraham, now 21, strikes out on his own shortly after. #history #usa
1831 CE
Lincoln Settles in New Salem, Illinois
Lincoln moves to the village of New Salem, where he works as a store clerk, postmaster, and surveyor. He begins his self-education in law and politics. #history #law
Apr 1, 1832 CE
Lincoln Serves in Black Hawk War
Lincoln volunteers for the Illinois militia during the Black Hawk War, serving as captain. He sees no combat but gains political connections. #history #military
Lincoln Serves in Black Hawk War By George Catlin - http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=3925, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66389805
Aug 4, 1834 CE
Elected to Illinois General Assembly
Lincoln is elected as a Whig to the Illinois House of Representatives. He serves four terms and becomes a leader of the Whig party in the state. #politics #history
Mar 1, 1837 CE
Lincoln Licensed as Attorney, Moves to Springfield
Lincoln is admitted to the Illinois bar and moves to Springfield, where he becomes junior partner in John Todd Stuart's law firm. He begins a successful legal career. #law #history
Nov 4, 1842 CE
Lincoln Marries Mary Todd
Abraham Lincoln marries Mary Todd in Springfield, Illinois. Their marriage produces four sons, but is often strained by personal tragedy and political pressures. #family #history
Lincoln Marries Mary Todd By Mary_Todd_Lincoln2.jpg: Mathew Brady derivative work: Materialscientist (talk) - Mary_Todd_Lincoln2.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16476151
Aug 3, 1846 CE
Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
Lincoln is elected to the U.S. House as a Whig from Illinois. He serves a single term, where he opposes the Mexican-American War and introduces the 'spot resolutions'. #politics #history
Mar 4, 1849 CE
Lincoln's Congressional Term Ends
Lincoln's term in the House ends. He returns to Springfield to focus on his law practice, growing increasingly disturbed by the expansion of slavery. #history #law
May 30, 1854 CE
Kansas-Nebraska Act Passed, Lincoln Reacts
The Kansas-Nebraska Act, allowing popular sovereignty on slavery, reignites Lincoln's political career. He delivers powerful speeches in opposition, re-entering politics. #slavery #politics
Kansas-Nebraska Act Passed, Lincoln Reacts By U.S. Government - Extracted from PDF version of Our Flag, available here (direct PDF URL here.), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41373752
May 1, 1856 CE
Lincoln Joins the Republican Party
Lincoln becomes a leading figure in the newly formed Republican Party, which opposes the expansion of slavery. He campaigns for John C. Frémont in the 1856 presidential election. #politics #history )
Jun 16, 1858 CE
House Divided Speech
Lincoln delivers his famous 'House Divided' speech upon acceptance of the Republican Senate nomination, warning that the nation cannot endure half-slave and half-free. #slavery #speech
House Divided Speech By Abraham Byers, Beardstown, IL - Daniel W. Stowell, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25422893
Aug 21, 1858 CE
First Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Lincoln and Stephen Douglas hold their first of seven debates in Ottawa, Illinois. The debates focus on slavery and popular sovereignty, gaining national attention. #politics #history
First Lincoln-Douglas Debate By U.S. Government, Post Office Department - U.S. Post OfficeHi-res scan of postage stamp by Gwillhickers., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9472867
Nov 2, 1858 CE
Lincoln Loses Senate Race to Douglas
Lincoln loses the Senate election to Stephen Douglas, but the debates elevate his national profile, setting the stage for the 1860 presidential race. #politics #history
Feb 27, 1860 CE
Cooper Union Speech
Lincoln delivers a landmark speech at Cooper Union in New York City, arguing against the expansion of slavery and establishing himself as a serious presidential contender. #speech #slavery
Cooper Union Speech By Mathew Benjamin Brady - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cph.3a09102.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4285400
May 18, 1860 CE
Lincoln Nominated for President
The Republican National Convention in Chicago nominates Abraham Lincoln as its presidential candidate on the third ballot, defeating prominent rivals. #politics #election
Lincoln Nominated for President By William Marsh - File:Lincoln_O-21_by_Marsh,_1860.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50321977
Nov 6, 1860 CE
Lincoln Elected 16th President
Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the United States, winning without any Southern electoral votes. His victory triggers secession threats from Southern states. #politics #history
Lincoln Elected 16th President By Alexander Hesler - Abraham_Lincoln_by_Alexander_Hesler,_1860.png, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157882016
Dec 20, 1860 CE
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union following Lincoln's election. More Southern states soon follow, leading to the formation of the Confederacy. #civilwar #history
South Carolina Secedes By Mississippi. Convention (1861) - Internet Archive identifier: addresssettingfo01miss https://archive.org/download/addresssettingfo01miss/addresssettingfo01miss.pdf, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95809469
Feb 11, 1861 CE
Lincoln's Secret Night Trip to Washington
Due to assassination threats, Lincoln secretly travels through Baltimore to Washington, D.C. for his inauguration, earning criticism for cowardice but ensuring safety. #history #president
Lincoln's Secret Night Trip to Washington By Unknown author - https://books.google.com/books?id=Xj9FDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA132, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87317551
Mar 4, 1861 CE
First Inaugural Address
Lincoln delivers his first inaugural address, appealing to the seceded states to return peacefully, while asserting his intention to hold federal property. #speech #politics
First Inaugural Address By Unknown author - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID ppmsca.07636.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=234632
Apr 12, 1861 CE
Fort Sumter Attacked, Civil War Begins
Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, marking the start of the American Civil War. Lincoln responds by calling for 75,000 volunteers. #civilwar #history
Fort Sumter Attacked, Civil War Begins By Bubba73 (talk), (Jud McCranie) - I (Bubba73 (talk),) created this work entirely by myself., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8499701
Jul 21, 1861 CE
First Battle of Bull Run
Union forces suffer a defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run in Virginia, shattering hopes of a quick end to the war. Lincoln pushes for more decisive action. #civilwar #battle
First Battle of Bull Run By William Ridgway after Felix Octavius Carr Darley - https://ahec.armywarcollege.edu/exhibits/CivilWarImagery/images/1861Vol%209%20Pg%20450%20Bull%20Run%20Litho.jpg via https://ahec.armywarcollege.edu/exhibits/CivilWarImagery/illustrators.cfm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68753137
Nov 8, 1861 CE
Trent Affair Defused
Union capture of Confederate envoys from a British ship nearly causes war with Britain. Lincoln releases them, avoiding diplomatic crisis. #diplomacy #history
Trent Affair Defused By Edward Sylvester Ellis - This file is from the Mechanical Curator collection, a set of over 1 million images scanned from out-of-copyright books and released to Flickr Commons by the British Library. View image on Flickr View all images from book View catalogue entry for book., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47327392
Feb 16, 1862 CE
Grant Captures Fort Donelson
Ulysses S. Grant's capture of Fort Donelson in Tennessee is the Union's first major victory. Lincoln promotes Grant to major general. #civilwar #military
Grant Captures Fort Donelson By Johnston, William Preston - https://www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages/14590258419/ Source book page: https://archive.org/stream/lifeofgeneralalb00john/lifeofgeneralalb00john#page/n492/mode/1up, No restrictions, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42230032
Apr 6, 1862 CE
Battle of Shiloh: Heavy Casualties
The Battle of Shiloh produces over 20,000 casualties, shocking both sides. Lincoln shows resolve, rejecting calls for Grant's removal. #civilwar #battle
Battle of Shiloh: Heavy Casualties By Thure de Thulstrup / Adam Cuerden - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID pga.04037.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69199332
May 20, 1862 CE
Homestead Act Signed
Lincoln signs the Homestead Act, granting 160 acres of public land to settlers. This transforms the West and promotes free-soil ideology. #history #westward
Homestead Act Signed By A Milton, North Dakota, photographer - Institute for Regional Studies North Dakota State University Libraries - https://library.ndsu.edu/exhibits/pioneer/camera/sod.htm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11202804
Sep 17, 1862 CE
Battle of Antietam
The bloodiest single day in American history occurs at Antietam Creek, Maryland. Lee's invasion is repelled, giving Lincoln the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. #civilwar #battle
Battle of Antietam By Thure de Thulstrup / Adam Cuerden - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID pga.04031.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120284343
Sep 22, 1862 CE
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issues the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, warning that he will free all slaves in states still in rebellion on January 1, 1863. #slavery #history
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation By Thomas Nast - Derivative of File:Emancipation- the past and the future (20186657008).jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=135348972
Jan 1, 1863 CE
Emancipation Proclamation Issued
Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring slaves in Confederate states free. Though limited, it redefines the war as a fight for abolition. #slavery #freedom
Mar 3, 1863 CE
National Banking Act Signed
Lincoln signs the National Banking Act, creating a national banking system and a uniform currency, strengthening the Union's financial stability. #economy #history
Jul 1, 1863 CE
Battle of Gettysburg Begins
The three-day Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the Civil War, begins in Pennsylvania. Union forces under Meade repel Lee's invasion. #civilwar #battle
Battle of Gettysburg Begins By Thure de Thulstrup / Adam Cuerden - Original scan: Library of Congress - N.B. The description the LoC gives manages to combine George Pickett (Confederate, leader of the charge) and Winfield Hancock (Union, defended against the charge) into one person, George Hancock. This is, of course, nonsense, and an error has been reported., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46097349
Jul 4, 1863 CE
Vicksburg Surrenders to Grant
Vicksburg, Mississippi, surrenders to Union forces under Grant, giving the Union control of the Mississippi River and splitting the Confederacy. #civilwar #victory
Vicksburg Surrenders to Grant By Thure de Thulstrup - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID pga.04049.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=88751296
Nov 19, 1863 CE
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery. His brief speech redefines the war as a struggle for national unity and equality. #speech #history
Gettysburg Address By Photographer attributions vary from unidentified (William Frassanito) to Mathew Brady (NARA) and David Bachrach (1845-1921) (Center for Civil War Photography). - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID ds.03106.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=611580
Mar 9, 1864 CE
Grant Appointed Commanding General
Lincoln promotes Ulysses S. Grant to lieutenant general and commander of all Union armies, giving him unified command for the final push. #military #leadership
Grant Appointed Commanding General By Brady-Handy Photograph Collection, Library of Congress - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cwpbh.03890.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=149880292
Nov 8, 1864 CE
Lincoln Re-elected President
Lincoln defeats Democrat George B. McClellan in the presidential election, winning with a huge margin in the Electoral College, endorsing his war policies. #politics #election
Lincoln Re-elected President By AndyHogan14 - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5610056
Jan 31, 1865 CE
13th Amendment Passed by Congress
The U.S. House of Representatives passes the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, sending it to the states for ratification. Lincoln lobbied tirelessly for its passage. #slavery #freedom
13th Amendment Passed by Congress By Ssolbergj - Own work + File:Seal of the House of Representatives.svg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12832888
Mar 4, 1865 CE
Second Inaugural Address
Lincoln delivers his second inaugural address, with the famous phrase 'with malice toward none, with charity for all,' urging reconciliation and peace. #speech #president
Second Inaugural Address By Alexander Gardner - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID ppmsca.23718.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38086507
Apr 9, 1865 CE
Lee Surrenders at Appomattox
Robert E. Lee surrenders the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the Civil War. #civilwar #peace
Lee Surrenders at Appomattox By Thomas Nast - http://38ccda.medialib.glogster.com/media/2ac4b05089e7aa91745de5be102243e550864dff4043259b7a4b0b987742461a/surrender.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44398928
Apr 14, 1865 CE
Lincoln Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth
Lincoln is shot by actor John Wilkes Booth while watching a play at Ford's Theatre. He dies the next morning. #assassination #tragedy
Lincoln Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth By Adam Cuerden - Heritage Auctions, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75787398
Apr 15, 1865 CE
Abraham Lincoln Dies
President Lincoln dies at 7:22 a.m. in the Petersen House across from Ford's Theatre. His death plunges the nation into mourning. #history #death
