Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States is perhaps most famous for his Gettysburg Address, but did you know he also brought us Thanksgiving? Read on for a few more fun facts about Abraham Lincoln. When you’re done, learn fun facts about George Washington, and don’t forget to check out our round-up of cool spots to visit that teach kids about past presidents of the United States.
1. His stovepipe top hat served as more than just a signature look: He used to stash his important documents there.
2. He loved animals and had a cat named Tabby and a dog named Fido. He loved his cat so much that she ate dinner at the White House table.
3. He was born on Feb. 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin in Kentucky (So in a way, he brought you Lincoln Logs, too).
4. At 21, he left home and canoed from Macon County, Illinois to New Salem, Illinois.
5. Lincoln’s favorite food was fruit.
6. A fun fact about Abraham Lincoln is that he was a wrestler. Over 12 years, he only lost one match out of 300.
7. Abraham Lincoln is the only U.S. president to ever hold a patent. He invented an inflatable bellows system to help boats navigate in shallow waters.
8. Abraham Lincoln supported the right of women to vote and said so as early as 1836. Women did not gain the right to vote officially until 1920!
9. Lincoln lost five separate elections before he became President of the U.S. (Never, ever, ever give up!)
10. Apparently, he did not like being called Abe and preferred people to call him Abraham.
11. Lincoln was the first president to be born outside the original 13 colonies.
12. Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, held séances in the White House.
13. At 6’4,” he was the tallest president.
14. Abraham Lincoln never slept in the Lincoln bedroom.
15. On the night of his assassination, General Ulysses S. Grant had been invited to attend the play with Lincoln but declined because his wife did not like Mary Lincoln.
