Abraham Lincoln is one of the most iconic presidents in American history. He is well-known for his leadership during the Civil War, his fight against slavery, and his famous speeches. But there are many interesting and lesser-known facts about Lincoln that may surprise you.

1. Lincoln was a champion wrestler. He was known for his strength and athleticism and participated in more than 300 wrestling matches.
2. He was a self-taught lawyer. Lincoln only had one year of formal schooling, but he taught himself law and became a successful attorney.
3. Lincoln was the first president to have a beard. He grew his famous beard in 1860 after receiving a letter from an 11-year-old girl suggesting that he would look better with a beard.
4. He was a gifted storyteller. Lincoln was known for his ability to tell stories and jokes. He often used humor to diffuse tense situations, and his funny stories were a hit on the campaign trail.
5. Lincoln suffered from depression. Despite his successful career and personal life, Lincoln was prone to bouts of depression. He once wrote that he was “the most miserable man living.”
6. He was an animal lover. Lincoln loved animals, and he often had pets in the White House. He had a dog named Fido, a turkey named Jack, and a pair of goats that his son Tad loved.
7. Lincoln’s handwriting was atrocious. His handwriting was so bad that his cabinet members joked that they needed a translator to read his letters.
8. He was a skilled carpenter. Lincoln loved to build things, and he spent many hours working on his own furniture and other projects.
9. Lincoln was the first president to be assassinated. On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln while he was watching a play at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. He died the next day.
10. Lincoln’s face is featured on both the penny and the five-dollar bill. The penny has had Lincoln’s face on it since 1909, and the five-dollar bill has featured him on the front since 1914.

Overall, Abraham Lincoln was an incredibly interesting and complex figure in American history. Despite his tragic death, his legacy lives on, and he continues to inspire and fascinate people to this day.