This Day in History:
Abraham Lincoln Is Born February 12, 1809 One of America’s most
admired presidents, Lincoln
was born to a poor family
in Hodgenville, KY. He attended school for
only one year, but continued
to read on his own in an unending
effort to improve his mind. As a young man of 6'4",
Lincoln impressed others
with his sheer physical strength
and was a legendary wrestler. Before entering politics,
Lincoln performed a variety
of jobs including stints as a
postmaster, surveyor and shopkeeper. His dry, folksy wit is thought
to have helped him hide intense,
recurring bouts of depression he
experienced for most of his adult life. Remembered as The Great Emancipator,
Lincoln was politically moderate for much
of his career, including the issue of slavery. His greatest legacy was
his work to preserve the
Union and his signing of the
Emancipation Proclamation.