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Abraham Lincoln was born on February 1, 1809 in a cabin near Hudenville, Kentucky.  He grew up loving reading instead of farming, like his father.  In 1931 Abraham Lincoln moved to New Salem, Illinois until 1937.  While their he worked many jobs, including operating a store, surveying, and serving as a postmaster.  He earned the nickname, "Honest Abe" from the town residents.  Lincoln stood at 6.4 feet and weighed about 180 pounds.      Lincoln ran for the Illinois Legislature in 1834, '36, '38, '40 and won all four times.  In 1839 Lincoln met Mary Todd and three years later they were married.  Over the next 11 years they had four children.  Lincoln became an attorney and he and his family settled down in Springfield, Illinois.  In 1846 Lincoln ran for the United States House of Representatives and won.  He became known for his strong opposition to the Mexican War and slavery.      Lincoln was elected 16th President on November 6, 1860.  After his election many southern states broke away (seceded) from the Union.  Lincoln faced an ominous crisis.  He raised an army and decided to fight to save the Union from falling apart.  Despite extreme devastation, death, and everlasting fear, Lincoln stuck through the four long years of the Civil War.      On January 1st, 1863 the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect, which was Lincoln's declaration that gave freedom to all slaves.  On April 11, 1865 Lincoln told a crowd that he would support blacks through thick and thin, including the right to vote.  This made a racist, John Wilkes Booth, furious.  On Friday, April 14, 1865 Booth arrived at the Ford's Theater (where Lincoln was watching a play) and shot Abraham Lincoln in the head at about 10:15pm.  This was the first presidential assassination in american history.  Abraham Lincoln is remembered by his wonderful leadership, which guided America through the Civil War, as well as beginning the process of the end of slavery.  Abraham Lincoln was truly a captain of America.        For more information on Abraham Lincoln visit: http://home.att.net/~rjnorton/Lincoln75.html http://members.aol.com/RVSNorton/Lincoln2.html       Back to Poem