On the evening of April 14, 1865, an event unfolded at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., that would tragically conclude the life of one of America’s most revered presidents. Abraham Lincoln, attending a play titled Our American Cousin, was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a renowned actor and Confederate sympathizer. The immediate cause of death was a fatal gunshot wound to the back of his head, which Lincoln sustained while sitting in the presidential box above the theater stage.
The assassination was not a spontaneous act of violence but the culmination of a well-orchestrated plot led by Booth, who had initially planned to kidnap Lincoln in an effort to revive the Confederate cause after the South’s defeat in the Civil War. As the Union celebrated its impending victory, Booth altered his scheme from kidnapping to assassination, driven by his deep-seated resentment toward the president’s policies, particularly the Emancipation Proclamation, which had liberated millions of slaves. On that fateful night, Booth entered the theater, armed with a .44 caliber Derringer pistol and a dagger, knowing Lincoln would be in attendance.
Booth’s access to the president was alarmingly unobstructed. He waited for a humorous line in the play, which ensured the laughter of the audience would mask the sound of his gunshot. After shooting Lincoln, Booth leaped onto the stage, reportedly shouting “Sic semper tyrannis!”—a Latin phrase meaning “Thus always to tyrants,” which reflected his belief that the actor was delivering justice. He then fled the scene, leading to a desperate manhunt that ended with his death 12 days later.
Lincoln, meanwhile, was swiftly attended to by doctors but remained in a coma for nine hours. The bullet had entered through his left ear and lodged behind his right eye, causing severe brain damage. Despite the immediate medical attention, the severity of the injury left little hope for recovery. Lincoln was moved to a nearby boarding house, where the President eventually passed away in the early morning hours of April 15. Abraham’s cause of death was officially attributed to the gunshot wound inflicted by Booth.
The nation mourned deeply as news of his death spread. His assassination had not only robbed the United States of a pivotal leader but also cast a long shadow over the country’s joy at the end of the Civil War.
The repercussions of that night at Ford’s Theatre continue to be felt, as Lincoln’s ideals and his ultimate sacrifice still resonate in discussions of liberty, justice, and equality in America.
By the time his death at the age of 56, both of his parents had already passed away.
Lincoln was born to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks. Unfortunately, his mother, Nancy, died from milk sickness when Abraham was only nine years old. His father, Thomas, later married Sarah Bush Johnston, who became a supportive and caring stepmother to Abraham. This family dynamic helped shape the compassionate and humble character that Lincoln is remembered for.
