Some blame Lincoln for the start of the Civil War and not giving up during the Civil War as well. When Lincoln was elected president in 1860 causing the South to secede. Lincoln is famous for many things. He was reelected president in 1864, mainly because of some Union victories that took place right before voting. Also he is famous for the Gettysburg Address where he honored the soldiers that had died there. Next, he signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 stating that all slaves in the CSA were free. However, President Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865.