It's a very easy date to miss altogether in the shadow of December and New Year's celebrations. Growing up, I often received combo holiday and birthday presents. I was taught to thank relatives and friends and not complain that it wasn't fair. Nowadays, an e-card can be scheduled for auto-delivery to someone's inbox months in advance, so it's not even necessary to remember someone's birthday.
On Nov. 6, 1860, former Illinois congressman Abraham Lincoln of the Republican Party was elected president of the United States as he defeated John Breckinridge, John Bell and Stephen Douglas. Also on this date: In 1861, an unopposed Jefferson Davis was elected to a six-year term as president of the Confederate States of America, after serving much of the year as its provisional president.