"Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally."

This quote by Abraham Lincoln shows the depth of his hatred of slavery. Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. Learn more about Lincoln's words, his presidency, and his death.

During the month of February, we focus on the importance of African-Americans in the history and culture of the United States. We'll begin by looking at three fascinating African-Americans: an abolitionist, a Civil Rights leader, and a President.

• Harriet Tubman
• Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Barack Obama

The development of railroads had a huge impact on the United States. It facilitated the movement of population, increased commerce, and played a large part in the US Civil War. This article takes a look at the major effects of railroads on the United States.

It's ironic that the creation of a labor saving device such as the cotton gin would lead to such an explosion in the use of slave labor in the south. However, before Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1794, the separation of cotton by hand was labor intensive and unprofitable. The invention of this device led to cotton becoming the major cash crop in the south and perpetuating the plantation system. Learn more:

• The Cotton Gin in American History