June 16 in American History

June 16, 1858 — Lincoln's "House Divided" speech

Accepting the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, Abraham Lincoln warned that "a house divided against itself cannot stand" — the nation could not endure permanently half-slave and half-free. It was a bold, some said reckless, statement of the crisis facing the country. He lost that Senate race, but the speech helped make him president.

Common Questions About June 16

What happened on June 16 in American history?

In 1858: Lincoln's "House Divided" speech. Accepting the Republican nomination for U.S.

Why is June 16 significant?

Accepting the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, Abraham Lincoln warned that "a house divided against itself cannot stand" — the nation could not endure permanently half-slave and half-free. It was a bold, some said reckless, statement of the crisis facing the country. He lost that Senate race, but the speech helped make him president.

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