Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky. His parents were pioneers. Early on, the family had to move to Indiana. When Abe was nine years old, his mother died. His father remarried. Abe’s stepmother was very kind to Lincoln.

Growing up, Abraham taught himself to read. He only went to school for a total of 18 months over the years. Abraham loved to read. He would walk long distances to borrow books.

As a young man, Lincoln settled in central Illinois. He worked at chopping wood. He also was a shopkeeper, postmaster, and a storeowner. In 1836, Lincoln became a lawyer. Abraham Lincoln was elected president 1860. He was re-elected 1864.

Abraham Lincoln was against slavery. He wanted all the slaves to be free. The southern states of America wanted to keep slaves. He was president during the Civil War. In early April 1865, the Civil War was nearly over. The South had lost. America stayed as one country. Slavery was banned. On April 14, 1865, Lincoln was shot. An angry southerner shot him. He was the first President killed in office.

Abraham Lincoln was known as Honest Abe. He was our tallest president. He was 6 feet 4 inches tall. He was the first president to wear a beard. He was also the first President to have his picture taken when he took office.

Lincoln’s face is on the penny and the 5-dollar bill. His face is also carved on Mt. Rushmore.