Lincoln Falls: A President Dies at Ford's Theatre
Abraham Lincoln died at 7:22 AM on April 15, 1865, in the Petersen House across the street from Ford's Theatre. He had been unconscious since Booth's bullet entered the back of his skull. Nine physicians attended him through the night. His body was too long for the bed, so they laid him diagonally. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton organized a military guard and began taking sworn testimony from witnesses while Lincoln still breathed. Andrew Johnson took the presidential oath at 10 AM at the Kirkwood House hotel. Lincoln's funeral train carried his body on a 1,654-mile journey through 180 cities over 13 days, retracing the route he had taken to Washington in 1861. Over seven million people viewed the funeral procession.
April 15, 1865
161 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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