Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum News


	For Immediate Release: April 13, 2006	Contact: Jill Burwitz (ALPLM) (217) 299-6165 cell (217) 558-8970 office
	April 14 marks the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's assassination Lincoln slain 141-years ago at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. SPRINGFIELD, IL: One-hundred and forty-one years ago on April 14, 1865 (Good Friday), President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater as Lincoln watched the comedy, Our American Cousin. Lincoln, his wife Mary, Maj. Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris were seated in the presidential box when at approximately 10:15 pm, John Wilkes Booth gained entry to where Lincoln was seated and placed a derringer pistol behind the President's left ear and shot him at point-blank range. Lincoln died the next day at 7:22 am on April 15, 1865. Lincoln's funeral tour was the most prolonged, most elaborate and most repeated ceremony in American History. The first of many funeral services for the fallen President was conducted at the White House on Wednesday, April 19, 1865. A procession then accompanied the horse-drawn hearse as Lincoln was carried to the Capitol, where he lay in state in the Rotunda the following day. On Friday the President's remains were placed on a special train for the nearly 1,700-mile trip to Springfield. The train also carried the remains of the Lincolns' son, William "Willie," who had died in Washington, D.C., in 1862. The train departed Washington, D.C. on April 20, and arrived in Springfield on May 3 at today's Old State Capitol. The train route stopped in 12 major cities, spanning a 15-day trip. Lincoln was buried the following day on May 4, 1865 in Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery. "Only six other times since 1865 has the anniversary of this tragic event corresponded with the Lenten season in which it occurred," said Dr. Thomas F. Schwartz, interim Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. "Booth's cowardly act horrified the nation. Lincoln's death was mourned by many Northern churches on what became known as Black Easter. His funeral became the template for John F. Kennedy's televised funeral as well as all presidents' since Kennedy." It is estimated that nearly 1 million people witnessed Lincoln's funeral tour. 75,000 paid their last respects at the Old State Capitol. To date, almost 600,000 have viewed the recreation of Lincoln lying in state in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum's Journey Two exhibit. There, Museum visitors can view a recreation of the presidential box at Ford's Theatre following with the scene of Lincoln lying in state. "Lying in State" is a nearly full-scale recreation of the Representatives Hall in Springfield's Old State Capitol, recreating the exact moment in May, 1865 as Lincoln lay in state, complete with all the lavish trappings of Victorian-era mourning. Another anniversary that is approaching is the Museum's one-year anniversary on April 19, 2006. Scheduled events include a press conference, live entertainment, complimentary birthday cake and an evening panel discussion. For more information, visit the Museum's website at http://www.alplm.org. ### << Back to Press Releases