In a small log cabin near Hoyden, Kentucky, on February 12, 1809 a boy was born who later became one of the most respected Presidents the United States has ever had. When he was a child his family was poor. He didn't have many chances for education or for social activities because his family moved frequently.

Abraham Lincoln or "Honest Abe" as he was later called worked at a variety of different jobs including surveying, operating a store and postmaster. Abe Lincoln studied law in his spare time and became a lawyer in 1836. On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th president of the United States. This was the start of the most difficult period in the history of the young country.

Seven states separated from the union over the issue of states rights - especially the right to keep slaves. President Lincoln believed that the Union had to stay together to survive. The Civil War began because of Lincoln's attempts to hold the nation together in spite of the seven southern states' desire to separate and form their own country.

In the third year of his presidency, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation - the declaration of freedom for all slaves. Even though at first the Civil War seemed to be going badly for the North things slowly turned after the Battle of Gettysburg. From then on the south slowly began to lose ground, ending with General Robert E. Lee's surrender on April 9, 1865.

Two days after the surrender Lincoln suggested that he would support the Blacks' right to vote during a speech on the White House lawn. This angered a Southern sympathizer and racist, John Wilkes Booth, so when the president attended a play at Ford's Theatre he shot Mr. Lincoln in the back of the head. Abraham Lincoln, "The Great Emancipator", died on April 15, 1865. Lincoln was the first president to be assassinated in United States history.