Abraham Lincoln's Incredible Journey to become 16th President

of the United States

Event

 

Year

He had to work to support his family after they were forced out of their home.

1816

His mother died.

1818

Failed in business.

1831

Was defeated for legislature.

1832

Lost his job and couldn't get into law school.

1832

Declared bankruptcy & spent the next 17 years of his life paying off the money he borrowed from friends to start his business.

1833

Was defeated for legislature again.

1834

Was engaged to be married, but his sweetheart died and his heart was broken.

1835

Had a nervous breakdown and spent the next six months in bed.

1836

Was defeated in becoming the speaker of the state legislature.

1838

Was defeated in becoming elector.

1840

Was defeated for Congress

1843

Was Defeated For Congress.

1846

Was defeated for Congress again.

1848

Was rejected for the job of land officer in his home state.

1849

Was defeated for Senate.

1854

Was defeated for Vice-President -- got less than 100 votes.

1856

Was defeated for Senate for the third time.

1858

Was elected president of the United States.

1860