US Department of Justice year 1873 / 6c Unused

US Department of Justice year 1873 / 6c Unused

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest presidents in American history due to his leadership during the Civil War and his efforts to abolish slavery. Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky (now part of LaRue County). His family later moved to Indiana and then settled in Illinois. Lincoln began his political career as a member of the Illinois State Legislature in the 1830s. He later served one term in the United States House of Representatives from 1847 to 1849. Lincoln joined the newly formed Republican Party in the 1850s and rose to prominence with his debates against Stephen Douglas during the 1858 Illinois Senate race. Although he lost that election, his eloquence and stance against the expansion of slavery elevated his national profile. Lincoln won the 1860 presidential election as the first Republican president. His election prompted several Southern states to secede from the Union, leading to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War was characterized by his commitment to preserving the Union. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. In November 1863, Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, a speech that emphasized the principles of liberty, equality, and democracy, and redefined the purpose of the Civil War. Lincoln was reelected in 1864, defeating Democratic candidate George McClellan. He began planning for the Reconstruction of the South, advocating for a lenient approach towards Confederate states to promote reconciliation. On April 14, 1865, Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. He died the following day, making him the first U.S. president to be assassinated.

Abraham Lincoln’s legacy is vast and enduring, as he is remembered for his leadership during a tumultuous period in American history, his commitment to equality and justice, and his role in ending slavery in the United States.