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Interesting US History
A Website Devoted to Interesting Events in U.S. History

 

 
 

 

ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY

March 4, 1861

Abraham Lincoln is Inaugurated as the
16th President of the United States

On this day in 1861, Abraham Lincoln was ingaugurated as the 16th President of the United States. Regarded by many as the greatest U.S. Presidents ever, he lead the country through one of the most difficult periods in U.S. history.

His stance against the expansion of slavery was a polarizing issue which lead to the American Civil War. During that time he was caught between those that thought he should compromise on the issue of slavery and others who thought he was not moving quickly enough to abolish slavery.

Although Lincoln's main goal during the war was to preserve the Union, it was during the war that he issued the Emancipation Proclamation freeing the slaves in the rebellious states. He then urged the passage of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolishing slavery in the rest of the country although it was not ratified until after his assassination.