Lincoln's Last Days and Legacy

April 14: A Joyful Day

• Mood: Lincoln woke up feeling cheerful, an unusual sense of joy.
• Activities:
  • Carriage ride with Mary.
  • Socializing with friends at the White House.
  • Enjoying stories and funny readings.
• Theater Obligation: Despite wanting to stay with his friends, he had to go to the theater due to public expectations.

Assassination

• Event: Lincoln was shot while attending a play at Ford’s Theater.
• Impact:
  • No sitting U.S. president had been assassinated before.
  • His death triggered a national outpouring of grief.

Funeral Procession

• Railway Car: His coffin was carried in a new railway car called the “United States”.
• Public Mourning: Massive crowds gathered in cities across the route back to Springfield.

Lincoln’s Legacy

• Public Connection: People related to Lincoln’s humble beginnings and his rise to greatness.
• Symbol of the American Dream: Embodied the idea that anyone could rise from poverty to success.
• Declaration of Independence: Reminded Americans to respect human rights as stated in this foundational document.
• Evolving Vision:
  • Lincoln’s understanding of the nation's potential grew over time.
  • Shifted the Civil War’s rationale from preserving the Union to abolishing slavery.

Reflections by Notables

• Doris Kearns Goodwin: Lincoln’s hope to be remembered pushed him through tough times, ensuring his legacy endures.
• Ted Widmer: Demonstrated that democracies can endure internal conflicts.
• Barack Obama: Acknowledged Lincoln’s limitations but praised his courage and vision that helped change the nation’s direction.
• Christy Coleman: Highlighted Lincoln’s movement towards higher ideals and understanding of America’s potential.
• Allen C. Guelzo: Stressed that Lincoln’s legacy ensures that democracies will not perish.

Summary

Lincoln’s last days were marked by joy and a sense of accomplishment, but his life was cut short by assassination. His legacy lives on, representing the American dream and the promise of democracy. His leadership during the Civil War and his evolving vision for the country have cemented his place in history as a great president whose story will be told for generations.