Abraham Lincoln Timeline The Abraham Lincoln Timeline is a brief outline of major events in President Lincoln's life. For a more detailed look, read the articles in full below, or search for Abraham Lincoln Timeline in this archive.
1809 February 12 - Abraham Lincoln is born in Kentucky Read Article (pictured on right) A Famous Year The Ohio Democrat, December 27, 1894 1860 May - Lincoln is nominated for president Read Articles Republican Nominations Elyria Independent Democrat, May 23, 1860 Republican Nominations The Davenport Daily Gazette, May 29, 1860 For President Abraham Lincoln The Adams Sentinel, July 2, 1860 1860 November - Abraham Lincoln is elected president Read Articles (pictured on right) The Country Safe The Davenport Daily Gazette, November 13, 1860 Effect of Lincoln's Election The Compiler, November 12, 1860 1861 March 4 - Lincoln is inaugurated as president Read Articles (pictured on right) The New Administration The Davenport Daily Gazette, March 5, 1861 Reckless Bravery Weekly Mountain Democrat, April 13, 1861 1861 April - Lincoln calls for troops to be used against seceding states Read Articles The President's Proclamation Weekly Hawk Eye and Telegraph, April 20, 1861 The People Aroused! Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, April 13, 1861 1861 August 12 - President Lincoln issues Proclamation for National Day of Fasting Read Article A Day of Fasting Daily Zanesville Courier, August 12, 1861 1862 February 20 - Lincoln's son, Willie, dies Read Article Washington, Feb. 21 Weekly Gazette and Free Press, February 28, 1862 1862 March - President relieves Major General McClellan from supreme command Read Article President's War Order No. 3 Weekly Gazette and Free Press, March 14, 1862 1862 May 20 - Lincoln approves the Homestead Bill, opening the west Read Articles Within a year Burlington Weekly Hawk Eye, May 31, 1862 Free Homesteads The Weekly Oregonian, August 2, 1862 1862 September - Battle of Antietam claims the lives of thousands of soldiers Read Articles The War upon Gen. McClellan Burlington Weekly Hawk Eye, November 1, 1862 President Lincoln and family Janesville Daily Gazette, November 12, 1862 1863 January 1 - Emancipation Proclamation is issued Read Articles (pictured on right) Fortress Monroe Janesville Daily Gazette, January 3, 1863 The Emancipation Proclamation The Compiler, September 29, 1862 Gen. Eisenhower, Gov. Scranton Speak Here Today The Gettysburg Times, November 19, 1963 Continued: Gen. Eisenhower 1863 November 19 - Lincoln gives the Gettysburg Address Read Articles (pictured on right) Lincoln's Gettysburg Address The Gettysburg Times, November 19, 1963 Lincoln's Gettysburg Address The Gettysburg Times, November 19, 1963 1864 November - Lincoln is re-elected when he defeats McClellan Read Article Northern Presidential Election Weekly Standard, November 16, 1864 1865 April 9 - Lee surrenders to Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia Read Article Lee's Surrender Syracuse Daily Courier and Union, April 18, 1865 1865 April 14 - Lincoln is assassinated at Ford's Theatre Read Articles (pictured on right) Murder of the President The Adams Sentinel, April 18, 1865 Funeral Oration Janesville Weekly Gazette, May 11, 1865 Postscript Syracuse Daily Courier and Union, April 22, 1865		Newspaper Articles (click to view readable full images) The Ohio Democrat December 27, 1894 The Davenport Daily Gazette November 13, 1860 The Davenport Daily Gazette March 5, 1861 Janesville Daily Gazette January 3, 1863 The Gettysburg Times November 19, 1963 The Adams Sentinel April 18, 1865