One of this country's most valued presidents, Abraham Lincoln, was born on Feb. 12. 1809. He was a self-educated man who even taught himself enough about the law to become a practicing lawyer and a political leader. He was known for his rugged humor and his strong sense of honesty ("Honest Abe"). When he became president, his most important goals were to preserve, protect and defend the Union. Later, he acted to end slavery in the Confederate States by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.
