Abe Lincoln Facts for Kids
Abraham Lincoln, also known as “Honest Abe,” is known as one of the greatest presidents in American history. He served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Here are some interesting facts about Abraham Lincoln that kids will love to learn:
1. Childhood: Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Kentucky. He was the second child of his parents, Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln.
2. Education: Abraham Lincoln had very little formal education. He attended school only for a few months in his entire life. But despite that, he loved reading and learned a lot from books he borrowed from others.
3. Work Experience: As a young man, Abraham Lincoln worked several jobs, including as a store clerk, a postmaster, a surveyor, and even as a wrestler. He was known to be very strong and could challenge anyone to a wrestling match.
4. Political Career: Abraham Lincoln began his political career in the Illinois state legislature in 1834. He became a lawyer and was a member of the Whig party.
5. Family: Abraham Lincoln was married to Mary Todd Lincoln in 1842. They had four sons, but only one survived his childhood.
6. Emancipation Proclamation: One of Abraham Lincoln’s most important acts as president was issuing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. This document declared slaves in Confederate territory to be free, although it did not actually free any slaves.
7. Gettysburg Address: Abraham Lincoln’s most famous speech was the Gettysburg Address, which he delivered in 1863 during the Civil War. It was a very short but powerful speech that reminded people of the ideals of democracy and why the Union was worth fighting for.
8. Assassination: Sadly, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, by John Wilkes Booth, a famous actor who was angry about the outcome of the Civil War.