Lincoln and Obama: Cut from the Same Cloth

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Recommended: History of Abraham Lincoln and his achievements

Abraham Lincoln assumed the office of the President of the United States 153 years ago. Barack Obama did the same 148 years later. Nearly fifteen decades separate these two historical events and astounding men. While one man has gone to great lengths to model himself after the other, there was possibly a connection there all along. The differences between Lincoln and Obama are evident and expected, but the similarities are remarkable and extraordinary.

When looking at the disparities between these two great men, their education and opportunities definitely stand out. Obama did his undergraduate work at Columbia University, receiving a B.A. in political science with a focus on international relations. He later went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from the impressive Harvard Law, where he also served as President of the Harvard Law Review (Holzer and Douglas). With this impressive resume he was destined for something great. Lincoln went to school in spurts between the ages of six and twelve, but these spurts did not even add up to a full year. At age 21 he could read, write, and do arithmetic, which was as much as most teachers had at that time (Miller Center). With nothing but the love of reading and learning, Lincoln became extremely smart. He went on to became a successful lawyer under a special Illinois law enacted in 1833. The law stated that a citizen could practice law by “obtaining a certificate procured from the court of an Illinois county certifying to the applicant's good moral character," (Norton). So without any type of legal education, Lincoln embarked on a career in law.

Each new President shouldered very different challenges when entering the White House. Obama faced a severe financial burden – the...

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Interactive, 17 Jan. 2009. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

Library of Congress. Teachers Guide Primary Source Set: Abraham Lincoln Takes a National

Role. U.S. Govt. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.

Medved, Michael. Fair to Compare Obama and Lincoln? Townhall.com. 10 Sep. 2008. Web.

21 Mar. 2014.

"Miller Center." American President: Abraham Lincoln: Family Life. 06 Dec. 2012. Web.

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Norton, Roger J. Abraham Lincoln Research Site. 29 Dec. 1996. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.

Salva, Richard. The Reincarnation of Abraham Lincoln: Historical Evidence of Past Lives.

Crystal Clarity Publishers. Crystarpress. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.

Wood, Aaron. Obama’s 2004 DNC Speech. Web log post. Great Speeches Analyzed. Blogger.

7 Jun. 2011. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

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