By the spring conventions in the required nine states had ratified, and the Constitution could become law. But with powerful, populous, and highly divided Virginia and New York yet to vote, the legitimacy of the new national system had not yet been fully resolved. A Biography of John Hancock.
Abraham Lincoln was elected for two terms, but only served one of them in full. &nbsp;His first term began on March 4, 1861. &nbsp;He was re-elected in 1864 and began his second term on March 4, 1865, but was assassinated after only 42 days, dying in office on April 15, 1865.
Presidency of Abraham Lincoln. The presidency of Abraham Lincoln began on March 4, 1861, when he was inaugurated as the 16th President of the United States, and ended upon his assassination and death on April 15, 1865, 42 days into his second term. Lincoln was the first member of the recently-established Republican Party elected to the presidency. He was succeeded by Vice President Andrew Johnson. Lincoln presided over the Union victory in the American Civil War, which dominated his presidency. Lincoln took office following t