On this day, 14 April 1865, one of the most tragic events in American history unfolded when President Abraham Lincoln was shot by actor and Confederate sympathiser John Wilkes Booth. The assassination took place at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC, while Lincoln was attending the play Our American Cousin. He died the following morning on 15 April, never regaining consciousness.
Lincoln’s death stunned the United States, occurring just days after the Civil War had effectively ended with the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on 9 April 1865. For many, Lincoln symbolised the Union’s perseverance and moral compass. His assassination plunged the country into mourning and further complicated the already fragile process of Reconstruction.
Who was Abraham Lincoln?
Abraham Lincoln was born on 12 February 1809 in a log cabin in Hardin County (now LaRue County), Kentucky. Raised in poverty and largely self-educated, Lincoln became a lawyer, legislator, and ultimately one of the most revered presidents in US history. He served as the 16th President of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865.
Lincoln rose to national prominence during the Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858, and although he lost that Senate race, he gained national recognition that helped him secure the presidency two years later. He was the first president from the Republican Party and led the country through its most divisive and bloody conflict—the American Civil War.
Key achievement
- Emancipation Proclamation (1863): Lincoln declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. While it did not end slavery outright, it reframed the war as a fight against slavery and paved the way for the eventual abolition of slavery.
- Preserving the Union: Despite enormous pressure, Lincoln was steadfast in his aim to keep the United States united. His leadership during the Civil War was marked by moral clarity and political skill.
- Gettysburg Address (1863): In just 272 words, Lincoln delivered one of the most famous speeches in American history, redefining the purpose of the war and articulating the principles of democracy and equality.
- Thirteenth Amendment: Lincoln strongly supported the amendment that would abolish slavery throughout the United States. Though he did not live to see its full ratification, his efforts were pivotal in its passage.
Why was Lincoln assassinated?
John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor and Confederate sympathiser, strongly opposed the abolition of slavery and believed Lincoln was destroying the Southern way of life. Booth had originally plotted to kidnap Lincoln, but after the Confederacy’s defeat, he became more radical and sought to kill the President as part of a broader conspiracy to destabilise the federal government.
On the night of 14 April, Booth entered the presidential box at Ford’s Theatre and shot Lincoln in the back of the head with a .44 calibre derringer pistol. Lincoln was carried across the street to the Petersen House, where he died at 7:22 a.m. on 15 April 1865. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton famously said at his passing, “Now he belongs to the ages.”
Booth fled the theatre and managed to evade capture for 12 days before being found and killed by Union troops in a barn in Virginia.
Legacy
Lincoln is widely regarded as one of the greatest American presidents. His leadership preserved the Union and led to the abolition of slavery, reshaping the nation’s identity. His vision of equality and democracy laid the foundation for future civil rights movements.
Also read: ON THIS DAY: Abraham Lincoln delivers Gettysburg Address (1863)
