Oct 23, 20212 min read

How Abraham Lincoln died? | Who was responsible for killing Abraham Lincoln? | Brain Corner

'Abraham Lincoln'

was the sixteenth President of the United States. He led the country to victory during the American Civil War and contributed profoundly towards ending in America. The former president is also credited with establishing a 'Republican form of government' in America. Ranked among the greatest US Presidents, he was assassinated in 1865.

'How Abraham Lincoln was Assassinated?'

Originally, John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor and a Confederate spy, had decided to kidnap Lincoln and free him in exchange of release of Confederate prisoners. But after attending an April 11 speech in which Lincoln promoted voting rights for blacks, Booth changed his plans.

He learnt that the President and First lady would be attending Ford's theatre. Without his main bodyguard Ward Hill Lamon, Lincoln left to attend the play 'Our American Cousin' on April 14, 1865.

As a lone bodyguard wandered, and Lincoln sat in his state box in the balcony, Booth crept up behind the President and waited for what he thought would be the funniest line of the play ('You sock-dologizing old man-trap'), hoping the laughter would muffle the gunshot. Just as the laughter began, Booth jumped into the box and fired from his revolver at point blank range aiming at Lincoln's head. Major Henry Rathbone momentarily grappled with Booth but was cut by Booth's knife. Boothe then leaped to the stage and shouted 'Sic semper tyrannis!' (Thus always to tyrants). He escaped despite a broken leg. 12 days later, he was caught in a Virginia barn house and shot.