Have you ever wondered why we are told to be true and kind? Let's learn about one man who was a great example of how this is important. This is about Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. He is best known for leading America through the Civil War and freeing the slaves. 

is for Abraham

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States.

He was born in Kentucky on February 12, 1809. He lived on farms in Indiana and Illinois with his family while growing up.

is for Bank

Lincoln set up a National Bank system when he was president.

This helped people have a safe way to take care of their money.

Did you know he was the first president to have a full beard??

is for Civil War

This was a war between America's North and South states. Much of it was about slavery.

President Lincoln took charge and kept the Union (the North States) together. In fact, the Union won the war!

is for Douglas

Stephen A. Douglas was Abraham Lincoln's opponent when trying to become a U.S. Senator.

Lincoln lost to him, but he still had America's attention because of his ideas on slavery.

is for Emancipation Proclamation

This order freed the slaves in the Southern states.

Not all slaves were freed right away, but it was the first step in making slavery illegal.

is for Family

Lincoln's family went through hard times. He lost his mother when he was only 10 years old.

Also, he and his wife had 4 sons, but only one lived to be a grown up.

is for Gettysburg Address

Abraham Lincoln gave this short but powerful speech where one of the worst battles happened, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Lincoln reminded everyone that all people should be treated equally in America.

is for Hat

Lincoln was known for wearing a stovepipe hat!

People say he even kept important papers in it.

is for Inauguration

After he won the election for president, his inauguration was in March of 1861.

Some states were not happy about this and wanted to break away from the Union.

is for John Wilkes Booth

John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865.

Lincoln was watching a show with his wife at Ford's Theatre when he was shot in the back of the head.

is for Knowledge

Lincoln didn't go to school much, but he loved to read books and learn.

He taught himself much of what he knew, and he later studied law.

Can you imagine not having a teacher??

is for Lawyer

Lincoln was a lawyer before he was president. He was known for being honest and fair.

He also was part of the Illinois State Legislature for 8 years!

He earned the nickname, "Honest Abe."

is for Mary Todd

Lincoln married Mary Todd in 1842 when he was a lawyer

She was known for spending too much money on clothes while married to him.

is for National Holiday

Lincoln is the one who made Thanksgiving a National Holiday! He did this to celebrate a big win.

Now, we celebrate this holiday in November.

is for Opposed Slavery

Abraham Lincoln didn't believe slavery was right. He thought all men should be treated equally.

He is the reason that slavery became illegal in the United States!

is for President

Lincoln was our president from 1861-1865. Many things happened when he became the 16th president.

The most important things were the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation.

is for Quotes

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we [wait] and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” 

"Those who [don't give] freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves” 

"I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.”

Here are some great quotes by Lincoln!

is for Republican

Lincoln was our very first Republican president! He joined the group when it just started.

Republicans didn't like slavery and didn't want it to spread. This made many people angry with them.

is for Suffrage

Lincoln didn't just want all men to be treated equally. He also wanted women to be treated the same.

He wanted to let women vote in 1836, but sadly, they didn't get this right until 1920.