Abraham Lincoln - An American Encore

The United States of America has been graced with countless men and women whose feats of perseverance have defined this nation and the heritage passed down from generation to generation. One of the greatest stories in our 248-year history is that of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th American President, who definitely had his share of great failures.

Consider Lincoln’s path to the highest office in our land. He lost his first run for office in 1832, won election to the Illinois House of Representatives two years later, and then failed to become speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. Eight years later, Lincoln was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, but then lost two bids for the U.S. Senate in 1855 and 1858. Astonishingly after these defeats, this self-made man, nicknamed “Honest Abe,” became the first Republican ever elected as President of the United States in 1860.

It's hard to imagine this country’s path without Lincoln as its Commander in Chief. As president, Abraham Lincoln oversaw the hardest time in our nation’s history, the Civil War. He persevered through this conflict, freed the slaves, won the war, and started the process to bring our country back together. All Americans should heed Lincoln’s words when he said, “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other thing.”

Today, Abraham Lincoln is regarded as one of the most important figures – not just in American history, but in world history. This distinction is not exaggerated or misplaced. If Lincoln had completely surrendered after any of his many political defeats, the United States may have disintegrated during or after the Civil War, altering the course of our entire planet. Yet because of his legendary perseverance and strength, Lincoln’s story still inspires millions of people around the globe. Abraham Lincoln is an American Encore.