Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12 is considered to be an unofficial holiday, one that is celebrated by a few states.

He was born in Kentucky and grew up becoming a lawyer, landing himself a position as the Illinois congressman in 1834. The man eventually got into the House of Representatives for Illinois in 1846.

Lincoln however is mostly known for his time as president during the American Civil War.

He won the presidency in the 1860 election, becoming the 16th United States president.  Several states were extremely unhappy with the results, and the impact resulted in secession, leading to the formation of the Confederate States of America.

As the president he showed the power the executive branch had in times of war, such as declaring martial law and suspending the writ of habeas corpus; in addition, he also created the famous Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.

“And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons,” said Lincoln when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Julius Francis, living in Buffalo, New York in 1874, tried to establish Lincoln’s birthday as an official holiday but failed to do so. Lincoln’s birthday is celebrated, but usually alongside Washington’s birthday on Presidents’ Day. People honor him due to what he did for the United States, being a big part in keeping the nation together during the Civil War. For schools across the country that do decide to celebrate his birthday, it counts as a holiday where school is off for the day.