Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in Hodgenville, Kentucky. He grew up in a poor family, but was able to attend school and gain a basic education. Lincoln's father was a farmer, and Lincoln worked on the farm as well as helping in the family store. As a young man, he became interested in politics and eventually became a lawyer.
In 1834, Lincoln was elected to the Illinois State Legislature, and in 1846, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. In 1854, he helped to form the Republican Party and became its leader. In 1860, he was elected the 16th President of the United States, and he served in that office until his death in 1865.
During his presidency, Lincoln dealt with many issues, including the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. He was a strong advocate of equality and fought to give African Americans the right to vote. He also worked to strengthen the Union and issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves in the United States.
In April 1865, during the final days of the Civil War, Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. Lincoln died the following day from his wounds, at the age of 56.
The death of Lincoln shocked the nation and brought about a wave of mourning and grief. Thousands of people lined up to pay their respects as his body was taken from Washington, D.C. to his hometown of Springfield, Illinois. He was memorialized throughout the country with monuments, statues, and even a national holiday.
Lincoln had many close relationships with people throughout his life, including his wife Mary Todd Lincoln and his two sons, Robert and Tad. He was also close to a German immigrant named George Schneider, who had come to the United States some 15 years before Lincoln's death. Lincoln was known to have visited Schneider's music store in Springfield, and the two remained close friends until Schneider's death in 1864.
At the time of his death, it was believed that Lincoln was suffering from a mental illness. He had been deeply affected by the death of his son Willie in 1862, and the death of his wife Mary in 1882. He had also been known to suffer from bouts of depression and anxiety.
It is believed that Lincoln was deeply affected by the death of George Schneider in 1864, which occurred just 11 years before Lincoln's own death. According to some accounts, Lincoln was so devastated by Schneider's death that he was unable to attend the funeral.
In the end, Abraham Lincoln left a lasting legacy on the United States. He was a leader who fought for equality and justice, and he is remembered as one of the greatest presidents in American history.
