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.
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