Abraham Lincoln — Timeline
Key moments in the life of Abraham Lincoln.
1809
Born on February 12 in Hodgenville, Kentucky
1816
Lincoln family moves to Indiana
1830
Lincoln family moves to Illinois; Abraham becomes legally independent
1834
Elected to Illinois State Legislature, serving four terms
1836
Licensed to practice law in Illinois
1846
Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
1860
Elected 16th President of the United States
1863
Issues Emancipation Proclamation on January 1
1865
Re-elected to presidency; Confederate General Lee surrenders on April 9
1865
Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14; dies April 15