When was lincoln assassinated?

By HotBotUpdated: July 3, 2024

The Event: April 14, 1865

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was assassinated on the evening of April 14, 1865. This tragic event occurred just days after the conclusion of the American Civil War, a conflict that had lasted from 1861 to 1865 and had deeply divided the nation.

Location: Ford's Theatre

Lincoln was attending a play titled "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. The theater, located at 511 10th St NW, was a popular venue for live performances and had attracted a significant audience that night. Lincoln, accompanied by his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, Major Henry Rathbone, and Rathbone's fiancée Clara Harris, occupied a private box above the stage.

The Assassin: John Wilkes Booth

John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor and Confederate sympathizer, carried out the assassination. Booth was a member of a larger conspiracy that aimed to destabilize the Union government by assassinating key figures, including Vice President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William H. Seward. Booth's plan was driven by his vehement opposition to Lincoln's policies, particularly the abolition of slavery.

The Act of Assassination

At around 10:15 PM, Booth entered Lincoln's box and shot the President in the back of the head with a .44 caliber Derringer pistol. Major Rathbone attempted to apprehend Booth but was severely wounded by a knife. After injuring Rathbone, Booth leaped onto the stage, breaking his leg in the process, and shouted "Sic semper tyrannis!" (Thus always to tyrants)—a phrase attributed to Brutus during the assassination of Julius Caesar. Booth managed to escape the theater with the assistance of his co-conspirators.

Immediate Aftermath

Following the shooting, Lincoln was carried across the street to the Petersen House, where he was attended by several doctors, including Dr. Charles Leale, an Army surgeon who happened to be in the audience. Despite their efforts, it quickly became clear that Lincoln's wound was fatal. He remained unconscious throughout the night and passed away at 7:22 AM on April 15, 1865.

National Reaction

The nation was plunged into deep mourning upon learning of Lincoln's death. Public gatherings, memorial services, and newspaper articles reflected the profound shock and grief felt by citizens across the country. Lincoln's body lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda before being transported by train for burial in Springfield, Illinois. The journey, known as the Lincoln Funeral Train, allowed thousands of Americans to pay their respects.

Capture and Fate of John Wilkes Booth

Booth fled Washington, D.C., and was pursued by Union soldiers and detectives. After a 12-day manhunt, Booth was tracked to a farm in Virginia. On April 26, 1865, Union soldiers surrounded the barn where Booth was hiding. Booth refused to surrender, and the barn was set on fire. He was ultimately shot by Sergeant Boston Corbett and died a few hours later. Several of Booth's co-conspirators, including Lewis Powell, David Herold, and Mary Surratt, were later captured, tried, and executed.

Impact on Reconstruction

Lincoln's assassination had profound implications for the Reconstruction era, the period following the Civil War during which the Southern states were reintegrated into the Union. Vice President Andrew Johnson assumed the presidency and pursued a lenient approach toward the former Confederate states, which contrasted sharply with the more stringent measures Lincoln had been considering. This shift in policy had lasting effects on the political and social landscape of the post-war United States.

Legacy of Lincoln's Assassination

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln remains one of the most significant events in American history. Lincoln is often remembered as a martyr who gave his life for the ideals of unity and equality. His leadership during the Civil War and his vision for a united nation have left an indelible mark on the American consciousness. The event has been extensively studied, commemorated, and memorialized in various forms of art, literature, and public monuments.

Rarely Known Details

Few are aware of the intricate details surrounding the broader conspiracy to assassinate Lincoln and other key figures. For instance, Lewis Powell, one of Booth's co-conspirators, attempted to assassinate Secretary of State William H. Seward on the same night. Powell severely injured Seward and several members of his household but failed to kill him. Meanwhile, George Atzerodt, who was assigned to kill Vice President Andrew Johnson, lost his nerve and did not carry out his part of the plot.

Another Perspective: The Petersen House

The Petersen House, where Lincoln ultimately died, has been preserved as a museum and is part of the Ford's Theatre National Historic Site. Visitors to the Petersen House can see the room where Lincoln spent his final hours and gain a deeper understanding of the impact of his assassination. The house offers an intimate glimpse into a pivotal moment in American history that shaped the future of the nation.

A Glimpse of the Assassin's Mind

John Wilkes Booth wrote a diary during his time on the run, in which he expressed his motivations and emotions. In his writings, Booth justified his actions by claiming he was acting in the best interest of the Confederacy and the Southern way of life. His diary provides a chilling insight into the mind of an assassin who believed he was a hero, despite the devastating consequences of his deed.

As the pages of history turn, the story of Lincoln's assassination remains a poignant reminder of the fragility of democracy and the enduring struggle for justice and equality.

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