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Abraham Lincoln Facts You May Not Know

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The 16th President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. He was a president for 5 years, but on 15 April 1865, he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. He showed remarkable leadership skills during the American Civil War. What he is most remembered about is signing the Emancipation Proclamation, which was an executive order changing the legal status of slaves to ‘free’. Hence, we decided to share ten of the most remarkable facts about Lincoln you may not know.

10 Abraham Lincoln Facts You May Not Know

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1. Lincoln Served in the Illinois State Legislature

Before his involvement in politics, he had a law career and served 4 consecutive terms in the Illinois state legislature. He was considered to be one of the most trustworthy, reputable and honest lawyers.

2. He Was Self-Educated

Although being a lawyer, Lincoln didn’t have a degree. In fact, he got his education from travelling teachers and his total schooling is estimated to be around one year.

3. ‘President of Firsts’

There have been many things Lincoln did for the first time as a president. He wasn’t only the first president to be assassinated, but also the first US president to wear a beard, hold a patent, and be in an inaugural photograph.

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4. He’s One of The Top 3 Presidents of the United States

Lincoln has constantly been ranked as one of the best presidents the USA had, together with George Washington and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

5. The Brother of Lincoln’s Assassin Saved His Son

Before Lincoln being assassinated, John Wilkes Booth’s brother saved Lincoln’s son. John Wilkes Booth’s, Edwin Booth, was a famous actor and he pulled Lincoln’s son to safety as the boy fell on the tracks at a train station.

6. Lincoln’s Bodyguard was Absent When Lincoln Was Assassinated

It is still a mystery where John Parker, Lincoln’s security was when the president was assassinated. Allegedly, Parker went to watch the play at Washington, DC’s Ford’s Theatre. During the intermission, he went to the same saloon where John Wilkes Booth was drinking.

7. Lincoln Had the Bill to Create US Secret Service on His Desk the Night of His Assassination

It is believed that if his bodyguard was there, Lincoln might have stayed alive. It is quite strange that he had such a bill on his desk just the night when he was assassinated.

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8. Lincoln’s Main Aim Was to Preserve the Union in the Civil War

The main goal of the president was to preserve the Union and thus, he sent troops to recapture lost forts. The war began when the Confederate secessionists fired on Fort Sumter on 12 April 1861.

9. He Was Not an Abolitionist

It is evident that Lincoln hated the institution of slavery. As a matter of fact, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation on 1 January 1863, legally freeing the 3 million slaves. Nevertheless, he claimed that he had no rights to stop the institution of slavery in the States in his first inaugural address.

10. Lincoln Had a Wealthy Wife

Lincoln was married to Mary Todd of Lexington Kentucky. His wife came from a wealthy family who owned slaves. They married on 4 November 1842. Mary’s two brothers had died serving in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Mary Ann Todd Lincoln witnessed her husband’s assassination, which resulted in her being institutionalized for psychiatric disease ten years after the incident.