Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of United States of America. He was born on February 12’ 1809 in Kentucky. Abraham Lincoln’s father was a farmer, they were poor and the family lived in a log cabin.

Yes, born in a poor family and became the president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln is one of the greatest examples that hard work and determination can lead to success. He was a lawyer by profession and the only American President who has a patent to his name.

Born in Kentucky, Lincoln soon moved with family to Indiana and later to Illinois. Abraham Lincoln lost his mother when he was just 9 years old. However, he was a loved child of his stepmother. She inspired him to read a lot of books.

Did you just think that he must have been an intelligent kid at school?

Well, Lincoln went to school just for about 18 months, and later studied on his own. He even used to memorize what he learnt by writing on the logs of wood. His love for reading was so much, that he once walked about six miles to borrow a book. Some of his favourite books included Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington, Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim's Progress, and Aesop's Fables.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read.

At the age of 22, Abraham Lincoln moved out to work in a general store, where he got the title Honest Abe. You know why?

One day a customer paid some extra pennies at the general store by mistake. After the store closed Abraham Lincoln walked for miles to return those extra pennies. Since then he was given the title Honest Abe. Abraham Lincoln was honest and loved to read.

Lincoln always wanted to work for humanity. He once travelled from Illinois to Kentucky in a ferry, where he saw some slaves tied. He knew that slavery was wrong t and wanted to abolish the system of slavery in the United States. In 1832 he ran an election of the Illinois State Legislature, but lost it. After that he failed in a business and later joined the army and served as captain. After that he studied on his own to become a lawyer.

So many failures, but he did not give up. That’s a lesson for all of us. We must never give up when we fail, instead we must keep trying to achieve our goals.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “I am a slow walker, but I never walk back”. You know, he did not go to a Law School, he studied on his own and passed the law exam to become a lawyer. Very soon he became popular among other lawyers for his knowledge. In 1834 Abraham Lincoln was elected to the Illinois State Legislature, and remained a member till 1842. In 1842, Abraham Lincoln got married to Marry Todd and had four kids.

In 1846 Abraham Lincoln was elected to the US house of representatives. He worked hard for the development of community, but was not very successful in politics. Still he continued to serve the people and wanted to remove the system of slavery from the United States. In 1860 he became the 16th President of the United Sates.

He faced a lot of difficulties during his Presidential years. A civil war started in 1861, between the Northern and Southern States of the United States over slavery and other cultural and political differences. But Abraham Lincoln was determined to keep the country together. He removed the system of slavery from the United States.

The Civil war ended in 1865, and Abraham Lincoln was determined to bring the country together. But sadly, he did not live to see that happen. Less than a week after the end of the civil war, Lincoln and his wife were watching a play at the Ford theatre, where he was shot in the head by a man named John Wilkes Booth. Abraham Lincoln died the next morning, on 15th April 1865.

His life is an example of, how strong determination can create a success. It is said that his leadership during the civil war, was extraordinary, he was a saviour of humanity, and a true hero.

Trivia Time

==> Do you know Abraham Lincoln’s face is on pennies and five dollar bills, he was included in Mount Rushmore, and a memorial for him stands at Washington DC.

==> Abraham Lincoln kept his important documents inside his hat.

That brings us to the end of the inspiring story of Abraham Lincoln, tell us, what did you like in him. And if you want to know some more interesting facts and would like to take a quiz about him, then visit our website, www.makemegenius.com. We will come back with another inspiring story just for you.

See you soon.