Abraham Lincoln grew up to become the 16^th president of the United States. He was born into a humble background, and as a boy had to find his own way in the world. Largely self-educated, he became a lawyer and eventually president. On January 1, 1863, as civil war tore the United States apart, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The steady hand of Abraham steered the United States through one of the most challenging times in its history.