Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He is best known for leading the nation through the Civil War and working to end slavery, notably through the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln's leadership helped preserve the Union and set the stage for the Reconstruction era. Born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky, Lincoln rose from humble beginnings to become a lawyer and politician. His dedication to equality and justice has made him an enduring symbol of American ideals and democracy.