Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809.  His parents gave him no middle name, but America gave him plenty of nicknames.  He’s known as “Honest Abe,” “The Illinois Rail-Splitter,” and “The Great Emancipator.” While I love all these nicknames, for this topic let’s go with “The Illinois Rail Splitter.” It sounds like a heavyweight-boxing match.  “In this corner, we have the Little Giant and in this corner I give you The Illinois Rail-Splitter!” Well, goodness, these debates were verbal boxing matches.

Lincoln lived a pretty amazing life.  Even if never elected president, it would have been incredible.  He was born in a one-room cabin in Kentucky.  For the most part he educated himself while growing up.  He carried on his self-education later in life when he taught himself law.  Incredible.  He got his law license on September 9, 1836 and led a successful law practice.  Throughout his life both politics and tragedy are scattered.  His brother dies in infancy in 1812, followed by his mother in 1818.  In 1828 his sister dies in childbirth.  Lincoln also lived to see two of his four sons die.  Goodness.  As for politics, he served in the Illinois House of Representatives, in the United States House of Representatives, and of course as the 16th President of the United States.  Gee, didn’t think we’d forget the last one did you?  In between those positions there are more political adventures and of course, misadventures for Lincoln.  He was assassinated on April 15, 1865.