We have learned a lot from “Great Expectations” about what life was like in the Victorian Era, but what was happening elsewhere in the world???  One of the most historical events from that time period was just “across the pond”. In 1865, the United States current President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. This event sparked curiosity and suspicion around not only the nation, but with the world wondering “Who killed the President of the United States?”

On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate not happy about his “country’s” recent loss in the Civil War, snuck into the Presidents Box while watching the hit play “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. Lincoln, accompanied by his wife ( Mary Todd Lincoln), Major Rathbone, and his fiancée, glanced over the balcony to see the play better. Booth after sliding past and not to mention killing anyone who got in his way, gently slid into the room, pulled out his Philadelphia Derringer pistol, aimed it at the president’s head, and pulled the trigger. Lincoln, immediately passing out because of complications from the bullet in his brain, slumps forward in his chair while his wife screams. Rathbone heard the shot and tries to stop Booth before being stabbed in his forearm with a knife. Booth then tries to jump from the box onto the stage, but his boot spur got caught in one of the flags draped over the side of the box while doing so. Booth than landed awkwardly on his left leg, mostly because his leg had just broke because of the twelve foot drop, and began crossing the stage, making the audience believe that he was part of the play. Booth than held his bloody knife over his head, and yelled  “Sic semper tyrannis” which means in Latin “Thus always to the tyrants”. This was Booth’s way to get revenge to the Unionists for defeating the Confederates in the Civil War. Booth was later captured and shot to death in a barn after several days “on the run”.

These events may not be mentioned or even thought of in “Great Expectations” but in reality, the Civil War and the President’s assassination was something that affected the world. One of the United Kingdom’s greatest allies were at war with their fellow man and at one point, had no leader because of a rebellious act.

If you are more interested in this life changing event, these books and links below are sure to help you discover the history behind this historical time.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Abraham_Lincoln

 

http://billoreilly.com/killing-Lincoln

 

http://killinglincoln.nationalgeographic.com/

 

Written By lalover7649