(WDBJ) – November 6, 1860:
Abraham Lincoln was elected the country’s 16th President of the United States in a four-way competition.
Lincoln received less than 40% of the popular vote, but still took a commanding lead in the Electoral College.
Lincoln was inaugurated the following March (incorrectly referred to as January in the video), with an unprecedented amount of security surrounding him, all thanks to the approaching onset of the Civil War.
Lincoln is well-known for helping lead the Union during the Civil War and fighting for the emancipation of slaves.
He helped lead the effort for the passage of the 13th Amendment, but didn’t see it ratified due to his assassination in April of 1865 by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater.
Gray Media, parent company of WDBJ7, is celebrating the upcoming 250th birthday of the United States of America with a year-long look at our country called “We the People”.
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