Abraham Lincoln was a successful lawyer in Springfield, Illinois, had served in the Illinois State Legislature and in the U.S. House of Representatives, but was virtually unknown outside of Illinois. He gained national recognition when he debated slavery with Stephen A. Douglas during an 1858 campaign for the U.S. Senate. Although he ultimately lost the senatorial election, his oratorical skills drew the attention of the newly-formed Republican Party, which nominated him as its first candidate for President in 1860.

	Feb 12, 1809	Born near present-day Hodgenville, Kentucky.
	1811	Moved with family to Knob Creek, Kentucky.
	1816	Moved with family to Indiana.
	Oct 1818	His mother, Nancy Lincoln, died.
	1830	Moved with family to Illinois.
	1831	Moved on his own to New Salem, Illinois.
	1832	Served as a militiaman during the Black Hawk War.
	1832	Defeated in bid for the Illinois State Legislature.
	1832	Bought a store in New Salem.
	1832	Appointed postmaster of New Salem, and assistant county surveyor.
	1834	Elected to the Illinois General Assembly.
	1836	Admitted to the Illinois bar.
	1837	Moved to Springfield, Illinois, and opened a law practice.
	Nov 4, 1842	Married Mary Todd.
	1846	Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
	1858	Debated slavery with Stephen A. Douglas.
	Nov 6, 1860	Elected President of the United States.
	Nov 8, 1864	Re-elected President.
	Apr 14, 1865	Shot by John Wilkes Booth.
	Apr 15, 1865	Died in Washington, D.C.

Lincoln Home National Historic Site. www.nps.gov/liho/

Mary Todd Lincoln
Lincoln-Douglas Debates

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This page was last updated on 05/05/2011.