Day 2️⃣4️⃣

I’m not a history buff. Nor was I ever a fan of history class either, but somehow Abraham Lincoln was the only history figure I put somewhat of compassion for. Perhaps because I visited Fords Theatre in Washington a few years back. At this time, I knew of Lincoln, but didn’t really research what type of president he was or accomplishments he had done. Today is the day he was shot at that theatre by John Wilkes Booth. I didn’t know Booth was an actor. The guy was a theatre major performing in plays. Lincoln was the 16th president of the U.S. in 1861. Born Feb 12, 1809 in Kentucky. He is known as issuing the Emancipation Proclamation that declared forever free those slaves within the Confederacy in 1863. He successfully fought a political struggle and civil war that preserved the Union, ended slavery, and created the social freedom for African-Americans. Booth had originally plotted to kidnap the president, but after the confederate general surrendered his troops, Booth’s then intention was to murder Lincoln. Booth saw Lincoln as an intimidator thus taking away white Southerners’ rights where race-based slavery was legal. Though Booth was pro-Confederacy, he saw Lincoln as a threat to the south.

During my visit there, I was able to get close to the seat where the president sat. The section was covered by a plastic see-through wall; however, this is as close I’ll get to Lincoln. They also had the actual gun that Booth shot him with on display. Now apparently there’s more to the story prior to the assassination and post events. I didn’t know this until I stumbled across an Apple TV+ series: Manhunt. It’s about what happened to John Wilkes Booth following Lincoln’s assassination and the mission to hunt him down. It’s quite interesting and highly recommend. It does jump in between timelines so you must pay attention. Right now it’s only airing on Apple TV+. If you can do the trial, then you’re in for a show.