Abraham Lincoln: One Of America's Greatest President

Abraham Lincoln is known as one of America's greatest presidents in history. He rose from humble beginnings to the President of the United States and bounced back from many shortcomings in that span. He is credited with preserving the Union during the U.S. civil war and beginning the process of freeing the slaves with the emancipation proclamation. His belief in freedom and the rights of all men still influences the country and its people to this day. During his childhood, Lincoln and his family were forced to move often, which hindered him from getting a full education, yet he taught himself how to read and write. In his years as a young adult, Lincoln was a hard worker who developed a love for law and politics. His political career had many shortcomings but he still persevered and became the Sixteenth president of the United States. Lincoln led the Union to victory in the Civil War. Tragically, his life was taken soon after, before he could finish his
In the crowd was John Wilkes Booth. Booth was a supporter of the confederacy and had a great hatred for Lincoln. Upon listening to Lincoln’s speech, Booth told a friend, "Now, by God, I'll put him through. That is the last speech he will ever make." Neil A. Hamilton reports that Booth had already tried to kidnap Lincoln in early March, but failed (137). This time he concluded that he must kill him, he devised a plan that took place on April 14, 1865. While Lincoln was watching a play in Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C. Booth snuck past Lincoln’s seemingly careless security team whilst holding a derringer pistol, and shot Lincoln in the back of his head. Lincoln remained in critical condition until he died a day later. Booth managed to escape the theater and remained on the run until April 26th, where he was fatally shot while hiding in a tobacco