10 Facts About The Lincoln Assassination You Probably Didn’t Learn At School

Most likely, you know how Abraham Lincoln was assassinated: that he was killed by John Wilkes Booth while watching a play at Ford’s Theatre. However, most people don’t know many of the other details surrounding President Lincoln’s assassination. Here are some of the interesting bits of information pertaining to the crime that often aren’t taught in school.

10. President Lincoln Previously Watched Booth Perform in a Play

The night of the assassination wasn’t the first time John Wilkes Booth had been in the same room with President Lincoln. In 1863, Booth wrote a letter to the owner of Ford’s Theatre, John Ford, arranging to perform at Ford’s Theatre for two weeks in November.

President Lincoln attended Booth’s ninth performance — a play titled, “The Marble Heart.” During the play, Lincoln sat in the box he would later occupy the night of his assassination while he watched Booth recite lines about killing a leader. Kind of creepy, right?

9. John Wilkes Booth was a ‘Baldwin’ of His Time

Don’t assume that John Wilkes Booth had a shady upbringing or that he wasn’t a popular performer. Neither are true.

Booth was actually born into a prominent family of actors. His ability to play a wide range of roles, and good looks, made him a headliner by the time he was 26. In fact, he was was one of the first known actors to have his clothes torn from his body by his fans.

Do you know the real reason behind how John Wilkes Booth broke his leg? Click ‘next’ to read on.