Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He is best known for leading the country during the Civil War and for his efforts to abolish slavery. Lincoln's leadership helped to preserve the Union and his Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. His commitment to equality and human rights laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements in America. Lincoln's legacy is marked by his dedication to the principles of democracy and his belief in the fundamental rights of all individuals.