As a youngster, Abe Lincoln wasn’t the kind of person you’d think would grow up to become president. Yes, he was a hard worker when he had to be.
But give him a few minutes of free time, and he’d have his nose in a book. If he wasn’t reading, he probably was entertaining people with a funny story.
But young Abe was anything but aimless. He had some strong beliefs. He combined them with a lot of hard work. That took the “poor, lean, lank” fellow with little formal education all the way from the frontier wilderness to national fame. His sense of justice and way with words made him a respected lawyer, a great debater, a gripping speaker, and a fine writer. Eventually, they made him the 16th president of the United States.
Abraham Lincoln became more than a president. He became one of the most famous and admired people in history. As he led the U.S. through the Civil War—the greatest crisis in its history—he tried to make the country live up to its best ideals—those in the Declaration of Independence. He truly believed that “all men are created equal.” He also believed they were entitled to “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
For his dedication to those ideals—and for much more—he will never be forgotten.
