Abraham Lincoln was President from 1861-1865. He was in his second term when John Wilkes Booth assassinated him a few days after the end of the Civil War. President Lincoln was at Ford’s Theatre watching the play My American Cousin when John Wilkes Booth entered his booth and shot him. President Lincoln died the next morning across the street at Petersen House.

John Wilkes Booth was a southern sympathizer who wasn’t happy with President Lincoln. President Lincoln had skillfully guided the Union through the Civil War to victory. The Civil War ended a few days before President Lincoln’s assassination. John Wilkes Booth wasn’t happy that President Lincoln wanted to help the freed slaves. Thus, Booth seized the opportunity to enter President Lincoln’s box at the theatre when Lincoln’s bodyguard stepped away during an intermission in the play. John Wilkes Booth was on the run for 12 days. Union soldiers killed him.