Abraham Lincoln never quits.
Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat
throughout his life. He lost eight elections, twice failed in business and
suffered a nervous breakdown.
He could have quit many times – but he didn’t
and because he didn’t quit, he became one of the greatest presidents in the
United States history.
Here is a sketch of Lincoln’s road to the White
House:
1.1816 His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
2.1818 His mother died.
3.1831 Failed in business.
4.1832 Ran for state legislature – lost.
5.1832 Also lost his job – wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.
6.1833 Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year
he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.
7.1834 Ran for state legislature again – won.
8.1835 Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
9.1836 Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
10.1838 Sought to become speaker of the state legislature – defeated.
11.1840 Sought to become elector – defeated.
12.1843 Ran for Congress – lost.
13.1846 Ran for Congress again – this time he won – went to Washington and did a good
job.
14.1848 Ran for re-election to Congress – lost.
15.1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state – rejected.
16.1854 Ran for Senate of the United States – lost.
17.1856 Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention – get
less than 100 votes.
18.1858 Ran for U.S. Senate again – again he lost.
19.1860 Elected president of the United States.
Image courtesy of Gualberto107 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
