Abraham Lincoln

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself,” once remarked Joseph Campbell. A hero may not be known or famous. Heroes possess extraordinary qualities when people are in time of need. Heroes can possess confidence, honesty, and are fearless in their own way. In the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President, had a dream to end slavery. He is considered a hero by many.

Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky on February 12, 1809 and died on April 15, 1865. Although Abraham Lincoln died young, he still accomplished many great deeds. But Abraham Lincoln did not always start out famous. Actually he was a lawyer, but he decided to run for public office. Lincoln was elected to Illinois General Assembly in 1834 and a representative to Congress from Illinois in 1847. In 1847 he was the leading Republican in Illinois, and in 1858 he was nominated for Senator in Illinois. Abe ran against Stephen Douglas, but he lost. He ran for President and he won. He was our 16th President of the United States.

Abraham Lincoln was President at one of the toughest times in American history, during the Civil War which began in 1861, after Lincoln was elected President. Three million Americans served in that war and 600,000 Americans died. Southern states fought to keep slavery while Northern states did not want it. Lincoln warned the South saying, “You have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the government while I shall the most solemn one to preserve, protect and defend it.” During the war, he delivered one of the greatest speeches ever, The Gettysburg Address, and set all slaves free in the Emancipation Proclamation. The North defeated the South, and in 1865 the war ended. One night in Washington D.C on Good Friday at Ford’s Theatre, Abe was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Things may come to those who wait...but only the things left by those who hustle.” Abe possessed qualities, such as fairness, leadership, and honesty. That’s why he was called ‘Honest Abe.’ Abe once said “I could never tell a lie.” He was fair because; he believed in slaves’ rights. He was a leader because he led the country during a very difficulty time.

In conclusion, a hero may be known to you personally or known worldwide. A hero possesses extraordinary ability. Abraham Lincoln was a great President who lived a good life. Even though it was short, he accomplished heroic acts.