Honest Abe

Abraham Lincoln is widely considered one of the most influential presidents in American history. He was the 16th president and served from 1861 until his untimely passing in 1865. If you consider yourself a history buff, these are 20 facts you ought to know about Honest Abe.

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1. Modest Means

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky. His parents were of modest means, and for most of his life, Lincoln had to work and fend for himself. This less-than-ideal beginning makes his story all the more inspiring.

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2. Wild Country

Lincoln famously described his hometown as a wild region. He mentioned encounters with bears and wild animals, making it a fairly dangerous place for a boy growing up. But of course, that didn't stop him.

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3. Desperate for Knowledge

Many people credit Lincoln’s success to his thirst for knowledge. He was very ambitious and made efforts to learn to read and write, working on farms and splitting fences before getting his start as a Black Hawk War captain.

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4. His One Son

Lincoln married Mary Todd in 1842 and had four sons with her: Tad, Willie, Eddy, and Robert. Unfortunately, due to circumstances of the time, only one of his sons survived to adulthood.

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5. Emancipation Proclamation

Lincoln’s most famous accomplishment was freeing the slaves through the Emancipation Proclamation. Despite deep divides between the North and South, in 1863, he drafted a document that paved the way for freedom for all.

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6. Civil War

Many consider the American Civil War to be one of the greatest and most impactful crises on national soil. Lincoln was a primary figure during this war and led the country toward victory. Unfortunately, he passed mere weeks before the war was won.

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7. Re-Elected

Abraham Lincoln was one of the few presidents who were re-elected to serve an additional term. In 1864, he defeated his opponent George B. McClellan with 55% of the popular vote.

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8. Enlisting Rights

Along with freeing the slaves, Lincoln provided them with additional rights. For example, African American men were officially allowed to enlist in the army, leading to an influx of 190,000 soldiers.

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9. Voting Rights

Abraham Lincoln was also eager to provide African Americans with voting rights. Although he passed before he could put it into law, he advocated for giving veterans of any ethnicity the right to vote.

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10. First Republican

While the Republican Party is now a big player in national politics, it wasn’t always so popular. In fact, Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican president elected and was only the second candidate put forth by the party.

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11. Tallest President

To date, Abraham Lincoln is the tallest president to have served the United States. He stood an impressive six feet and four inches. In contrast, the shortest president to serve was James Madison, at five feet and four inches.

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12. The Gettysburg Address

Another of Lincoln’s claims to fame is his famous Gettysburg Address. This speech, delivered during the Civil War, reminded Americans of their commitment to upholding equality and liberty.

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13. Jack of All Trades

While Lincoln’s most famous career was his presidency, he had served in various fields. Not only was he a politician, but he was also a lawyer, a surveyor, a postmaster, and a storekeeper. Talk about jack of all trades.

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14. Inventor Extraordinaire

Abraham Lincoln is currently the only president to also be a patented inventor. He created a device capable of lifting boats above blockages in rivers and streams—another fact that sets him apart.

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15. Animal Lover

Lincoln loved animals and was known to keep many, including horses, cats, and dogs. He even owned a few goats. Many people nowadays can probably relate to this admiration for pets.

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16. Well-Regarded

When it comes to national acclaim and popularity, Lincoln has stood the test of time. Over 18,000 books have been written about him, making him one of the most written-about individuals in U.S. history.

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17. Department of Agriculture

While the Department of Agriculture now supports food security across the U.S., it wasn’t always around. In fact, Lincoln established the department alongside Congress. This makes sense considering he had a background in farming.

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18. Beloved Cat

Like most people, Abraham Lincoln loved his pats. In fact, his family owned a cat. However, what set this cat apart was that it was allowed to eat dinner at the White House table.

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19. Under the Hat

Many marvel at the extravagant hats Lincoln wore, but they served another purpose as well. He was known to hide important documents under his hats for safekeeping. One can only wonder where this idea came from.

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20. Assassination

Sadly, Abraham Lincoln was the first elected president to be assassinated. He was at Ford’s Theatre with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, on the night of April 14, 1865. It took two weeks to apprehend the criminal responsible.

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