History Facts

Old Abe Lincoln was the 16th President! 16th President! Ahhh… who am I kidding, you know the song right? I’m not the only one who learned it in 3rd grade am I? Well, back on topic. Abraham Lincoln was probably the greatest US President in History. Only FDR has been handed a comparable plate of issues. Today’s post is compiled of several interesting facts about Abraham Lincoln. There are so many it was hard to choose from, so I would check back in the future for Part II.

Fact #1 - Abraham Lincoln was the first president to have a beard while in office.

In the work place it is always said that a man looks more professional when he is cleanly shaven. Back in the mid 1800s, bears were quite popular. And not just regular beards… men worse chops and other obscure styles. About 10 other U.S. Presidents have had facial hair.

Fact #2 - Abraham Lincoln was the first president to be born outside of the original thirteen colonies. He was born in Kentucky.

On November 6, 1860, Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States (the country’s first Republican President), beating Democrat Stephen A. Douglas. His western roots were crucial in winning the Western and border states.

Fact #3 - Abraham Lincoln led the Union in the Civil War (1861-1865) to prevent the Southern states from seceding from the United States.

As President, Lincoln’s top priority was to preserve the union. 7 confederate states actually suceeded just before Lincoln took office, and many other border states warned the President they would not support him.

Fact #4 - Abraham Lincoln’s brother, half-brothers, and brothers-in-law fought in the Confederate Army.

Talk about a family rivalry! It was actually not uncommon to have brothers fighting brothers in the Civil War. Slavery and states’ rights were hot topics that people grew up passionate about. It’s hard to believe that a President’s own brother wouldn’t stand by him.

Fact #5 - Lincoln was first president to be assassinated. He was shot at Ford’s Theater in Washington DC on the night of April 14, 1865.

A week prior to his death, Lincoln had a dream of his own assassination. He confessed the dream to his head bodyguard (who happened to be off duty the night of Lincoln’s murder). Old Abe was seeing the play “Our American Cousin” when he was shot. He died 9 hours later.