Abraham Lincoln's Milestones

16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln preserved the Union during the Civil War, abolished slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation, and was assassinated in 1865.
1807

Sister Sarah born

His older sister, Sarah Lincoln, was born in Kentucky.

Family February 10, 1807
1809

Birth

Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Hardin County (now LaRue County), Kentucky, to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks.

Family February 12, 1809
1816

Moved to Indiana

The Lincoln family moved from Kentucky to Indiana, settling in the frontier wilderness.

Location December 1, 1816
1818

Mother died

Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, died of milk sickness when Abraham was nine years old.

Family October 5, 1818
1819

Father remarried

Thomas Lincoln married Sarah Bush Johnston, who became a supportive stepmother to Abraham.

Family December 2, 1819
1820

Became self-educated

Largely self-educated, Lincoln read extensively and developed a lifelong love of learning during his youth in Indiana.

Education January 1, 1820 - January 1, 1830
1828

Worked as a rail-splitter and store clerk

Worked manual labor jobs and as a store clerk, gaining early experience in business and community.

Other January 1, 1828 - January 1, 1832

Mother's death of Sarah Lincoln Grigsby

His sister Sarah died during childbirth.

Family January 20, 1828
1830

Moved to Illinois

The Lincoln family relocated to Macon County, Illinois, marking a new chapter in Abraham's life.

Location March 1, 1830
1832

First election campaign

Lincoln ran unsuccessfully for the Illinois state legislature, beginning his political career.

Career March 1, 1832

Black Hawk War service

Served as a captain in the Illinois militia during the Black Hawk War.

Other April 21, 1832 - July 10, 1832
1833

Postmaster of New Salem

Appointed postmaster of New Salem, Illinois.

Career May 7, 1833 - May 30, 1836
1834

Elected to Illinois legislature

Elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, serving four successive terms.

Career August 4, 1834 - January 1, 1842
1836

Became a lawyer

Obtained law license and began practicing law in Springfield, Illinois.

Career September 9, 1836
1837

Law partnership with John T. Stuart

Formed a law partnership with John T. Stuart in Springfield.

Career April 15, 1837 - January 1, 1841
1841

Law partnership with Stephen T. Logan

Formed a law partnership with Stephen T. Logan.

Career January 1, 1841 - January 1, 1844
1842

Married Mary Todd

Married Mary Todd in Springfield, Illinois.

Relationship November 4, 1842
1843

Birth of first son, Robert

First son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was born.

Family August 1, 1843
1844

Law partnership with William Herndon

Formed his most enduring law partnership with William Herndon.

Career January 1, 1844 - April 15, 1865
1846

Birth of son Edward

Second son, Edward Baker Lincoln, was born.

Family March 10, 1846
1847

U.S. House of Representatives

Served a single term as a U.S. Representative from Illinois.

Career March 4, 1847 - March 3, 1849
1849

Return to law practice

Returned to law practice after leaving Congress.

Career March 4, 1849 - October 16, 1854
1850

Death of son Edward

Edward Lincoln died at age four.

Family February 1, 1850

Birth of son William

Third son, William Wallace Lincoln, was born.

Family December 21, 1850
1853

Birth of son Tad

Fourth son, Thomas 'Tad' Lincoln, was born.

Family April 4, 1853
1854

Kansas-Nebraska Act opposition

Became a leading opponent of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, reentering politics.

Career May 30, 1854

Peoria Speech

Delivered the Peoria Speech, denouncing the expansion of slavery.

Achievement October 16, 1854
1858

'House Divided' speech

Delivered the famous 'House Divided' speech in Springfield, Illinois, addressing the dangers of a divided nation over slavery.

Achievement June 16, 1858

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Engaged in a series of seven debates with Stephen A. Douglas during the Illinois Senate race, raising his national profile.

Achievement August 21, 1858 - October 15, 1858
1860

Cooper Union Speech

Delivered the Cooper Union speech in New York, boosting his national reputation.

Achievement February 27, 1860

Elected President

Elected as the 16th President of the United States, becoming the first Republican to hold the office.

Achievement November 6, 1860
1861

Inaugurated as President

Inaugurated as President of the United States in Washington, D.C.

Achievement March 4, 1861

Civil War begins

The American Civil War began with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter shortly after Lincoln's inauguration.

Other April 12, 1861

Suspended habeas corpus

Suspended habeas corpus to maintain Union authority during the Civil War.

Other April 27, 1861
1863

Emancipation Proclamation issued

Issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all slaves in Confederate states to be free.

Achievement January 1, 1863

Gettysburg Address

Delivered the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Achievement November 19, 1863
1864

Appointed Ulysses S. Grant as General

Appointed Ulysses S. Grant as General-in-Chief of the Union Army.

Career March 10, 1864

Re-elected President

Re-elected as President of the United States, defeating George B. McClellan.

Achievement November 8, 1864
1865

13th Amendment passed by Congress

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery.

Achievement January 31, 1865

Second Inaugural Address

Delivered his Second Inaugural Address, calling for 'malice toward none; with charity for all.'

Achievement March 4, 1865

Civil War ends

General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the Civil War.

Other April 9, 1865

Assassinated

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., and died the following morning.

Other April 14, 1865 - April 15, 1865

Funeral and burial

Lincoln's funeral train traveled from Washington, D.C., to Springfield, Illinois, where he was buried.

Other April 19, 1865 - May 4, 1865

Legacy and memorials

Lincoln is widely regarded as one of America's greatest presidents, honored with numerous memorials, including the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Other May 4, 1865 - June 5, 2025