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Introduction:
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most beloved figures in American history. He served as the 16th President of the United States from 1861 to 1865, during which time he led the nation through its most momentous political and military turning points. Lincoln was a great statesman, writer, and orator, and his life and accomplishments have inspired countless generations. Even 150 years after his death, his legacy still lives on with us today. Here are 15 interesting facts about Abraham Lincoln.
Fact 1: Abraham Lincoln was the first US President from the Republican Party.
In the 1860 presidential election, Abraham Lincoln rode a wave of anti-slavery sentiment to become the first Republican president in US history. For the first time since the early 1800s, the US had a president who had openly expressed his opposition to slavery, ushering in a new era in American politics.
Fact 2: Abraham Lincoln was the first President to be assassinated.
As president, Abraham Lincoln had many enemies, both from the South and North. On April 14th, 1865, an assassin shot and killed the president at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC. This shocking murder marked the first time a president had been assassinated in the US, and it shocked the nation to its core.
Fact 3: Abraham Lincoln was the first President to deliver a speech in the White House.
On November 19th, 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered the first official speech ever given from the White House. Entitled the “Gettysburg Address,” the speech sought to unify the nation during a time of strife and discord, and it has become one of the most famous speeches in US history.
Fact 4: Abraham Lincoln was the first president to have a beard.
Abraham Lincoln was the first US president to have facial hair – a beard. His distinctive look became so iconic that it sparked a trend of men sporting beards during the Civil War era. Many people even credit him with popularizing the look in popular culture.
Fact 5: Abraham Lincoln was the first president to be born outside of the 13 original colonies.
Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky, which, at the time, was not one of the 13 original colonies. This made him the first US president to be born outside of the original colonies.
Fact 6: Abraham Lincoln was the first president to issue an order to emancipate the slaves.
In 1862, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which officially declared that all enslaved people in the United States were now free. This remarkable order marked a turning point in US history and eventually led to the abolishment of slavery in the US.
Fact 7: Abraham Lincoln was the first president to be photographed in office.
In 1861, when Abraham Lincoln took office, photography was still a relatively new technology. However, despite the awkwardness of the new fangled medium, Lincoln eventually embraced it and became the first president to be photographed in office.
Fact 8: Abraham Lincoln was the first President to talk about “government of the people, by the people, and for the people”.
In his infamous Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln set out a vision for a more perfect union. At the speech’s climax, he famously declared: ”We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” This memorable phrase has become a cornerstone of American democracy.
Fact 9: Abraham Lincoln was the first President to appoint a woman to a role in the presidential cabinet.
In 1861, Abraham Lincoln appointed Mary Todd Lincoln to serve as his personal secretary. This marked the first time a woman had served in a presidential cabinet role. It also made Mary Todd the highest-ranking female White House staffer ever appointed.
Fact 10: Abraham Lincoln was the first President to recommend a free public school system.
In 1862, amidst the chaos of the Civil War, President Lincoln declared that the federal government should fund a system of free public schools. This groundbreaking policy would eventually become a reality with the passage of the 20th Amendment, and it has since served as a cornerstone of the US education system.
Fact 11: Abraham Lincoln was the first President to issue an executive order.
In 1862, Abraham Lincoln issued the first executive order in US history. This order, titled “General War Order No. 1,” declared that all rebel forces should be “dispersed and driven” away from the Union.
Fact 12: Abraham Lincoln was the first President to establish a national banking system.
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed into law the National Banking Act, which established a system of federally regulated banks. This law not only helped to stabilize the country’s economy during the difficult times of the Civil War, but it also helped to create the modern banking industry in the US.
Fact 13: Abraham Lincoln was the first President to give an official White House tour.
In 1861, Abraham Lincoln gave his first official White House tour. He took the group through the East Room, the State Dining Room, and even the family bedrooms. This marked the first time a president had ever opened up the White House to the public.
Fact 14: Abraham Lincoln was the first President to incorporate a Thanksgiving tradition.
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. This marked the first time a president had officially incorporated a Thanksgiving tradition, and it has been observed annually ever since.
Fact 15: Abraham Lincoln was the first president to implement a national income tax.
In 1862, in order to raise revenue for the Civil War effort, Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Revenue Act of 1861, which imposed a national income tax. This innovative policy has since become a key component of the US tax system.
Conclusion
Abraham Lincoln was a great leader and statesman, and his legacy still lives on today. From his unbending opposition to slavery to his institution of radical new policies, he changed the course of US history forever. Our nation is forever indebted to Abraham Lincoln for his remarkable service and accomplishments.
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