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Abraham Lincoln Political Career Timeline Here are some highlights of Lincoln's political career, arranged by decade. For speeches and writings of these periods, plus many additional resources, see the links at the end of the page.

MARCH 9, 1832 -- Makes first-known published political announcement
AUGUST 6, 1832 -- Loses first race for Illinois House of Representatives
AUGUST 4, 1834 -- Wins election to first term in Illinois House of Representatives
AUGUST 1, 1836 -- Wins election to second term in Illinois House of Representatives
JANUARY 11, 1837 -- Gives first published speech in Illinois legislature
MARCH 3, 1837 -- Makes first public declaration against slavery
JANUARY 27, 1838 -- Delivers speech on "Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions"
AUGUST 6, 1838 -- Wins election to third term in the Illinois House of Representatives
DECEMBER 3, 1838 -- Loses bid for Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
OCTOBER 7, 1839 -- Attends first Whig Party state convention

AUGUST 3, 1840 -- Wins election to fourth term in the Illinois House of Representatives
MAY 1, 1843 -- Attends Whig Party district convention in Pekin, Illinois
OCTOBER 25 - NOVEMBER 6, 1844 -- Speaks in Illinois and Indiana for Henry Clay
MAY 1, 1846 -- Wins nomination as Whig Party candidate for Congress from Seventh District
AUGUST 3, 1846 -- Wins election to Congress as sole Illinois Whig Party representative
DECEMBER 6, 1847 -- Takes seat in U.S. House of Representatives
DECEMBER 22, 1847 -- Presents "Spot Resolutions" in U.S. House of Representatives
JUNE 7 - 9, 1848 -- Attends national Whig Party convention in Philadelphia
SEPTEMBER 9 - OCTOBER 9, 1848 -- Makes speaking tour of New England for Zachary Taylor
JANUARY 10, 1849 -- Proposes amendment to a bill that would abolish slavery in District of Columbia
MARCH 4, 1849 -- Ends first and only term in U.S. House of Representatives

OCTOBER 16, 1854 -- Delivers famous speech in Peoria, Illinois
NOVEMBER 7, 1854 -- Wins election to Illinois House of Representatives
NOVEMBER 10, 1854 -- Decides to run for U.S. Senate instead
DECEMBER 23, 1854 -- Special election held to choose his successor to Illinois legislature
FEBRUARY 8, 1855-- Loses bid for Senate when Illinois legislature elected Lyman Trumbull
MAY 29, 1856 -- Delivers legendary "lost speech" as a Republican in Bloomington, Illinois
JUNE 19, 1856 -- Considered for vice president at first Republican National Convention
JUNE 26, 1857 -- Speaks against Dred Scott court decision in Springfield, Illinois
JUNE 16, 1858 -- Chosen as candidate for U.S. Senate by Illinois State Republican Convention
AUGUST 21, 1858 -- Begins first of seven debates with Democrat Stephen A. Douglas
NOVEMBER 2, 1858 -- Wins Senate popular vote but loses election to Douglas
SEPTEMBER 16 - OCTOBER 5, 1859 -- Makes speaking tour of Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 1859 -- Goes on speaking tour of northeastern Kansas

FEBRUARY 27, 1860 -- Gives famous Cooper Union speech in New York City
FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 10, 1860 -- Makes speaking tour of New England states
MAY 9 - 10, 1860 -- Receives support of Illinois Republican Convention for president
MAY 18, 1860 -- Receives Republican nomination for president with running mate Hannibal Hamlin
NOVEMBER 6, 1860 -- Wins election as first Republican president, defeating three other candidates
MARCH 4, 1861 -- Takes oath of office as sixteenth president of the U.S.
FEBRUARY 22, 1864 -- Endorsed for re-election by the Republican National Committee
JUNE 8, 1864 -- Renominated for president by National Union Party with running mate Andrew Johnson
NOVEMBER 8, 1864 -- Wins re-election as president, defeating Democrat George McClellan
MARCH 4, 1865 -- Takes oath of office as president for a second term
APRIL 15, 1865 -- Dies an assassination victim at 7:22 a.m., ending second presidential term

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Sources: The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Roy P. Basler and Lincoln Day by Day edited by Earl Miers

Related Links
Links to Lincoln's Pre-Presidential Political Career
Links to Lincoln's Presidential Political Career

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