October 4, 1854
Lincoln gives a three-hour speech in answer to Stephen Douglas at the Illinois state fairgrounds in Springfield.
October 5, 1818
Nancy Hanks Lincoln, mother of Abraham and Sarah, dies of disease in southern Indiana at age 35.
October 7, 1858
The fifth Lincoln-Douglas debate in the U.S. Senate race is held in Galesburg, Illinois at Knox College.
Today in Lincoln's Life
Lincoln's Words
"I appeal to you again to constantly bear in mind that with you, and not
with politicians, not with Presidents, not with office-seekers, but with you,
is the question, "Shall the Union and shall the liberties of this country be
preserved to the latest generation?"
--Speech to Gov. Morton in Indianapolis, February 11, 1861