On October 26, 1864, Abraham Lincoln gave one of his most important speeches. He said: “Threats to break up the Union were freely made; and the ablest public men of the age were seriously alarmed…” (Lewis 36). The sixteenth president of the United States had a more substantial life than most people thought. Across the country, all residents have been impacted. This was done by one of the best presidents in history. Honest Abe was a wise man who influenced the country and helped make it what it is today. One of the states he resided in the most was Illinois. Abraham Lincoln created a political future for himself, held the Union together, freed the slaves, and created a new party for the United States that still exists today, all while unknowingly becoming one of the most well-known and historic presidents ever. Since Lincoln started from the state level in his politics he visited various cities. These cities included Galena, Galesburg, Peoria, Bloomington, Springfield, Rock Island, Chicago, New Salem, and Decatur (Crowther). He first came to Galena in 1832, as a soldier. His first and most famous political visit came in 1856, when he campaigned for John Fremont. Fremont supported Lincoln's senatorial campaigns and helped him with his political developments. In Galena he was introduced to many people. One of these people was Elihu B. Washburne. Washburne was a fellow lawyer and politician. Washburne and Lincoln certainly became powerful political allies. Although Washburne helped him and was a good ally, his closest friend was actually Edward Baker. They stayed in touch even when he moved to other cities and towns (Abraham Lincoln to Galena). One of these cities he moved to was a site among the most… mid-paper… Coln urged the audience he was speaking to to welcome back the South. He wasn't alive to see this happen. Four days later he was dead. He died in the early morning of April 15, 1865. John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln in the back of the head at Ford's Theater. They rushed him across the street to get him away from the crowd and give him first aid in a private setting. He died before he could contribute to the reconstruction of the United States of America (History.com). Abraham Lincoln may not have completely rebuilt the United States of America, but he certainly set the project in motion. The people he left behind were willing to work together to create the nation that would become the place where many live today. With the abolition of slavery, strong leadership and the honesty of it all, Lincoln is undoubtedly one of the greatest presidents in history.