Lincoln (Abraham)

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) served as the 16th President of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He entered politics, serving in the Illinois state legislature and U.S. House of Representatives before his election to the presidency. Lincoln's term coincided with the American Civil War, during which he led the Union forces against the Confederate States. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, declaring slaves in rebel states to be free. Lincoln is known for his leadership during the war, his role in the abolition of slavery, and his speeches, including the Gettysburg Address. His presidency significantly shaped the course of American history. [Claude AI]