Abraham Lincoln

Born in 1809 in a one-room log cabin in Kentucky, Lincoln's rise to the presidency exemplified the American ideal of self-made success. Despite limited formal education, he taught himself law, served in the Illinois state legislature, and gained national prominence through his powerful oratory and principled opposition to the expansion of slavery. His leadership during the Civil War, immortalized in speeches like the Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address, revealed both his political wisdom and his deep moral conviction.

The 16th President of the United States, Lincoln presided over the great American conflict called the Civil War. That conflict was driven by a core contradiction in the fabric of the Republic - the goals of freedom and liberty of the Founding Fathers, and the practice of slavery. The contradiction could not stand, and Lincoln took the course he was charged with - protecting the Union.

Those trying times still lead to many arguments today - but two things can be said without disagreement: he ended the evil of slavery, and kept the Union together.

Abraham Lincoln Collection at Liberty Online

First Inaugural Address (1861). Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, delivered on March 4, 1861, during his first term as President of the United States, marked a significant moment in American history. In this address, Lincoln addressed the nation's concerns and outlined his vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of unity and the preservation of the Union.

Emancipation Proclamation (1863). The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declared that all slaves held in the Confederate states "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." This historic document marked a significant turning point in the fight against slavery and played a crucial role in shaping the course of the Civil War.

Gettysburg Address (1863). Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, marked a pivotal moment in the Civil War. In this speech, Lincoln reflected on the sacrifices made by the soldiers and the importance of preserving the Union.

Second Inaugural Address (1865). Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, delivered on March 4, 1865, during his second term as President of the United States, marked a significant moment in American history. In this address, Lincoln addressed the nation's concerns and outlined his vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of unity and the preservation of the Union.