Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, near Hodgenville, Kentucky, to parents who could not read or write. He went to school for only about a year but educated himself by borrowing books. He was elected for the local government in Springfield, Illinois, at the age of 25. He started practicing law and was then nicknamed as “Honest Abe”.
Abraham Lincoln became the the 16th U.S. President and served from March 4, 1861, to April 15, 1865. He is known for leading the nation through the Civil War and signing the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing enslaved people in Confederate states. Thus, earning another nickname of “The Great Emancipator”.
According to the Library of Congress, Lincoln's papers span over 20,000 documents, including his draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, which offers deep insights into his era.
Check the 7 lesser-known Abraham Lincoln facts about his unique life and legacy in this article.
7 Interesting Facts about Abraham Lincoln You Didn’t Know
Abraham Lincoln facts highlight hidden sides of Lincoln's life, backed by historical records. They show how everyday traits shaped one of America's greatest leaders.
Lincoln Created the Tradition of Thanksgiving as a National Holiday.
Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving in 1863 amid Civil War hardship. This united a divided nation through thankfulness. This continued from prior state celebrations and canonized family gatherings that we are familiar with today.
Abraham Lincoln was the tallest president
Lincoln towered over others, as he stood 6 feet 4 inches tall; no other U.S. President was this tall. His height was enough to stand out and command anybody when giving speeches or debating. It also posed challenges, like fitting into custom-made clothes and top hats.
Lincoln was the first president to be photographed at his inauguration.
Photographer Alexander Gardner took the picture of Abraham Lincoln's swearing-in ceremony, the first photographed inauguration of a U.S. president, on March 4, 1861.
Spookily, the photographer managed to take a picture of President Abraham Lincoln's inauguration, and the apparent figure of assassin John Wilkes Booth is also in the picture - a reflection of triumph and tragedy.
Lincoln had the largest shoe-size documented.
Lincoln's feet matched his stature, requiring size 14 boots—still the largest recorded for any president. He favored simple leather boots from Illinois shops. These giant shoes symbolized his folksy roots amid White House grandeur.
Read the Quote of the Day by Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln was the first president to wear a beard.
Before Lincoln, no U.S. president sported facial hair. An 11-year-old girl named Grace Bedell wrote urging him to grow one in 1860, believing it would look strong. He debuted it at his 1861 inauguration, starting a trend.
Lincoln Was a Licensed Bartender Before Presidency.
During his 20s, Lincoln co-owned Berry-Lincoln Store in Illinois as a drinks server and earned himself a bartenders license. This demonstrates his work ethic before politics.
Lincoln Faced Multiple Assassination Attempts Beyond Booth
In addition to Booth's fatal shot in 1865, plots had preceded it that made Lincoln early targets as per Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. A would-be assassin at a train station in 1861 backed out. They were having second thoughts.
These details, however, portray Lincoln as a person one can relate to, juxtaposing legend and human nature. His life, for instance, highlights the fact that greatness is sometimes found in ordinary tales.
Solve this GK Quiz on Abraham Lincoln here.
In wrapping up, the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, the president who saved America's union, is now clearer with the 7 interesting facts that you probably did not know—from his giant size and footwear to beard and hidden threats. These 7 interesting facts now show that heroes are indeed nonordinary people.
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