Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky (now LaRue County).¹⁾

He was largely self-educated and had only about 18 months of formal schooling throughout his life.²⁾

Lincoln worked various jobs, including a rail-splitter, store clerk, and postmaster, before entering politics.³⁾

His nickname “Honest Abe” originated from his reputation for integrity and honesty in business dealings.⁴⁾

Lincoln served in the Illinois State Legislature from 1834 to 1842.⁵⁾

He had a wrestling career and was only defeated once in approximately 300 matches.⁶⁾

In 1842, Lincoln married Mary Todd, and they had four sons: Robert, Edward, William, and Thomas.⁷⁾

Lincoln's son, Willie, died of typhoid fever at the age of 11 while Lincoln was in office.⁸⁾

Abraham Lincoln was a self-taught lawyer and gained a reputation as an effective and eloquent courtroom speaker.⁹⁾

Lincoln served as a one-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1847 to 1849.¹⁰⁾

He opposed the Mexican-American War and introduced the “Spot Resolutions” to challenge President James K. Polk's justification for the war.¹¹⁾

Lincoln's debates with Stephen A. Douglas during the 1858 Illinois Senate race brought him national attention.¹²⁾

The Lincoln-Douglas debates focused on the issue of slavery, with Lincoln expressing anti-slavery sentiments.¹³⁾

Lincoln was a member of the newly-formed Republican Party and ran as its candidate in the 1860 presidential election.¹⁴⁾

He won the presidency in 1860 with a significant electoral majority but without a single Southern electoral vote.¹⁵⁾

Lincoln was the first Republican president of the United States.¹⁶⁾

His election in 1860 led to the secession of Southern states and the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.¹⁷⁾

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered in 1863, is considered one of the greatest speeches in American history.¹⁸⁾

He signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, declaring all slaves in Confederate-held territory to be free.¹⁹⁾

Lincoln faced criticism from both sides during the Civil War for being too aggressive or too cautious in his approach.²⁰⁾

He had a complex relationship with his generals, including clashes with George McClellan and later appreciation for Ulysses S. Grant.²¹⁾

Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863, setting the date as the last Thursday in November.²²⁾

The Homestead Act, signed by Lincoln in 1862, provided 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, encouraging westward expansion.²³⁾

Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act, which facilitated the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad.²⁴⁾

The National Banking Act of 1863 and the creation of a national currency helped modernize the U.S. banking system.²⁵⁾

Lincoln's pocket watch, made by George Chatterton, was engraved with the words “To A. Lincoln, from the Citizens of New York” and was later displayed at the Smithsonian.²⁶⁾

He was the first president to be photographed at his inauguration in 1861.²⁷⁾

Lincoln is the only U.S. president to have obtained a patent. In 1849, he patented a device for lifting boats over shoals and obstructions in a river.²⁸⁾

He was known for his wit and humor, often using anecdotes to make political points.²⁹⁾

Lincoln's height was around 6 feet 4 inches, making him the tallest U.S. president in history.³⁰⁾