[Amazing] 25 Coolest Things Your History Book Never Taught You About Abraham Lincoln
Although he is possibly the most talked about president in history, there are probably numerous things that you still don’t know about good ole’ Honest Abe. To start with, did you know that he hated being called Abe? Apparently even his wife called him Mr. Lincoln. And he wasn’t exactly a social person. According to some accounts he was often so lost in thought that he could walk right past you in the street. A man of few friends some would say. But Abraham Lincoln’s life was a lot more unique than that. He was the tallest president at 6’4″ (193 cm) and had the biggest shoe (size 14 US). He was also a wrestler, something that he was quite good at. Did your history book ever mention these Abraham Lincoln facts?
Combining his athletic pursuits with the fact that he never finished college would seem to make him an unlikely candidate for office. But with less than 12 months of formal schooling, that’s exactly what he did. While there are plenty of legends surrounding his life, there almost don’t have to be. His life was legendary just as it was. And that is probably at least partly why he is still one of the better known presidents. These are the 25 coolest things your history book never taught you about Abraham Lincoln!
He was a certified bartender
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
He was also a proficient wrestler. In fact, he is enshrined in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and he only lost 1 in 300 matches
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
Lincoln was the first major leader in US history to advocate for women's suffrage
Source: gilderlehrman.org, Image: wikipedia
In 1876 a gang tried to steal Lincoln's body from his tomb. They were planning to request $200,000 in ransom.
Source: history.com, Image: wikipedia
For those of you not familiar with American history, Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth, was a famous actor. The craziest part? Lincoln was actually a fan!
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Lincoln's pocket watch had a secret message engraved in it by a jeweler. It wasn't discovered until 2009. (the message marked the beginning of the Civil War)
Source: smithsonianmag.com, Image: wikipedia
Fido, Lincoln's dog, was also "assassinated" (he was stabbed to death by a drunk man 1 year following Lincoln's death). This is actually the reason that Fido (meaning "trusty" or "faithful") became such a popular dog name
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
There was a Balloon Corps that fought in the Civil War. It was established by Lincoln
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
Lincoln suffered from depression and avoided carrying knives for fear of using one on himself
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
He established the Secret Service just hours before his assassination but its intent was to fight against currency counterfeiting, not to protect the president. It wasn't until the assassinations of 2 more presidents that the Secret Service assumed that responsibility.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Lincoln doesn't have any confirmed living descendants. The last one (his great-grandson) died in 1985
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
Want to learn about another American President? Why not check out these 25 Interesting Things You Didn’t Know About George Washington.
Abraham Lincoln hated being called "Abe".
Source: wikipedia
At 6 foot 4 inches (193 cm), Lincoln is the tallest US president in history
Source: smithsonianmag.com, Image: wikipedia
The brother of Lincoln's assassin, Edwin Booth, saved Lincoln's son, Robert, from a train accident. Apparently it brought Edwin some consolation when he later found out the identity of the man he had saved.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Lincoln kept his most important documents inside his hat
Source: smithsonianmag.com, Image: wikipedia
Abraham Lincoln practiced law (without a degree). He had barely 12 months of formal schooling.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Lincoln is the only president to have obtained a patent ( No. 6,469 in 1849). It had to do with attaching air chambers to the outside of boats to keep them afloat in shallow water.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Lincoln was estranged from his father and didn't attend his funeral.
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
Although there was a standing order against firing weapons in the District of Columbia, Lincoln would test fire rifles in the lawn of the White House. Hey, he's president!
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Lincoln's mother died when he was 9 because of ingesting poisoned milk. It was later discovered that a cow drank poisonous white snakeroot and infected the milk supply of southern Indiana
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
Lincoln didn't smoke or drink because it made him feel "flabby and undone".
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
These days, going to college (especially in the US where it will cost you lots of money) is seen as an absolute necessity. Just remember though, that Abraham Lincoln, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Henry Ford, and Thomas Edison had no college degrees!
Source: wikipedia, Image: Tax Credits via flickr
For three days before his assassination Lincoln had dreamed about being assassinated and his bodyguard had even tried to dissuade him from going to the theater on that fateful evening.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Lincoln didn't have many friends. His close supporter David Davis once said he was "the most reticent, secretive man [he] ever saw, or expected to see."
Source: wikipedia, Image: youtube
An 11 year old girl sent Abraham a letter telling him he would look better with a beard. So he grew one!
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
