Abraham Lincoln was born on 12th February, 1809 to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks. Thomas was a farmer and carpenter. Nancy died when Abraham was just nine, and was brought up by his stepmother, Sarah Bush Johnston, who became very close to Abraham.
Abraham Lincoln’s formal schooling was limited to three brief periods in local schools, as he had to work constantly to support his family. After settling in the town of New Salem, Illinois, where he worked as a shopkeeper and a postmaster, Lincoln involved himself in local politics. He ran for the state legislature and lost in 1832. Lincoln taught himself law, passing the bar examination in 1836. Lincoln served as a US Representative (1847-49). He was elected to the state legislature in 1854, but resigned to run for the US Senate. He gave his famous ‘House Divided’ speech after being nominated.
The main event of Lincoln’s presidency was the Civil War that lasted from 1861-65. Eleven states seceded from the Union, and Lincoln firmly believed in the importance of not only defeating the Confederation, but eventually reuniting North and South. His Emancipation Proclamation, issued in 1863, freed all slaves in the rebellious states and paved the way for slavery’s eventual abolition. At the same time, his Gettysburg Address later that year stands as one of the most famous and influential pieces of oratory in American history. He invoked the principles of human equality contained in the Declaration of Independence, and connected the sacrifices of the Civil War with the desire for a new birth of freedom.
Interestingly, every American president between William Henry Harrison(1840) and John F. Kennedy(1960) who was elected in a year ending with a zero was assassinated or died while in office. This has been called the Tecumseh’s Curse. Abraham Lincoln was no exception. He was shot on a Good Friday, April 14, 1865, as the American Civil War was drawing to a close.
There are numerous inspirational quotes and speeches by Abraham Lincoln. To name a few,
- Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
- You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
- Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.
- In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.
- Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
But the following Lincoln’s letter to his son’s Head Master stands out.
Respected Teacher,
My son will have to learn I know that all men are not just, all men are not true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero; that for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend.
It will take time, I know; but teach him, if you can, that a dollar earned is far more valuable than five found.
Teach him to learn to lose and also to enjoy winning.
Steer him away from envy, if you can.
Teach him the secret of quiet laughter. Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest to tick.
Teach him, if you can, the wonder of books.. but also give him quiet time to ponder over the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on a green hill-side.
In school teach him it is far more honourable to fail than to cheat.
Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong.
Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the bandwagon.
Teach him to listen to all men but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.
Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad. Teach him there is no shame in tears. Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness.
Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders; but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob… and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently; but do not cuddle him because only the test of fire makes fine steel.
Let him have the courage to be impatient, let him have the patience to be brave. Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind.
This is a big order; but see what you can do. He is such a fine little fellow, my son.
Abraham Lincoln