President Abraham Lincoln played a significant role in Black history through his actions to abolish slavery in the United States. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 which declared that all enslaved people in Confederate states were to be set free. Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free all enslaved individuals, it signaled a turning point in the fight against slavery and paved the way for the eventual passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which formally abolished slavery throughout the country.

Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War and his commitment to the abolition of slavery have made him a key figure in Black history. His efforts to end the institution of slavery and his belief in equality and justice for all Americans have solidified his legacy as a pivotal figure in the fight for civil rights. His actions laid the foundation for the eventual progress and advancements made by Black Americans in the years following the Civil War.