Some interesting things you may not know about 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln earned an “Outstanding American” honour in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Abraham Lincoln was an established wrestler in his younger days. Having experienced defeat only once in about 300 matches, Lincoln could hold his ground when need be. In Carl Sandburg’s biography of Lincoln, he wrote that after defeating an opponent, Lincoln challenged the audience, saying, “I’m the big buck of this lick. If any of you want to try it, come on and whet your horns.” Nobody took the offer.
A few hours before he was assassinated, he created the secret service.
While Lincoln signed the legislation creating the U.S. Secret Service on April 14, 1865, he had no idea that it was going to be the last legislation he would sign in as he was assassinated the evening of that day at the Ford theatre. The secret service, however, came to his protection in death when grave robbers attempted to steal the body in 1876.
The brother of Lincoln’s assassin saved Lincoln’s son.
A few months before John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln, Robert Lincoln stood on a train platform in New Jersey. As a result of people pushing forward, he fell into the space between the platform and the rail with an incoming train. Someone dragged him up by his shirt collar, and it was Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth, assassinated his father a few months after the rescue.
Lincoln was the tallest U.S. President.
Asides from how intelligent and hands-on Lincoln was as a president, numerous people respected and feared him for his great height. At 6 foot 4 inches, Abraham Lincoln was the tallest U.S. President.
Lincoln was primarily self-educated.
Despite how successful Abraham Lincoln was as a Lawyer, he was primarily self-educated and did not have a degree. Travelling teachers taught him for an estimated duration of eighteen months.
Lincoln has a history of ‘Firsts.’
Abraham Lincoln was the first bearded U.S. President. He was also the first to hold a patent and be in an inaugural photograph. John Wilkes Booth can be seen standing on a balcony above in the photo. He was the first President to be assassinated.
Lincoln was the first president to be born outside the original 13 colonies.
Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky, outside of the original 13 colonies, in a log cabin. This is an addition to his numerous track record of Firsts.
Abraham Lincoln once served as a postmaster.
On May 7, 1833, Abraham Lincoln was appointed as the postmaster of New Salem, Illinois, after an unsuccessful run for the Illinois Legislature. He served in this position till May 30, 1836, when the office closed. The mail came once a week, and when the person it was addressed to failed to pick it up, he delivered it to them.
Lincoln’s Mother died from milk sickness.
When Lincoln was nine years old, his Mother died of milk sickness on October 5, 1818. His father remarried
Sarah Bush Johnston, who Lincoln had a good relationship with.
