1. Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln

2. On the evening of April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln and his wife attended a play at Ford’s Theater. While watching the play from their balcony seats a man by the name of John Wilkes Booth waited until a part of the play where people would be loudly laughing and came up behind the President and shot him. After Booth shot Lincoln he jumped from the balcony onto the stage then fled the premises.
Video Clip:
April 14, 1865

3. Lincoln’s Death affects the Nation
Harper’s Weekly
Newspaper picture from
May

4. Lincoln’s Death affects the Nation
Lincoln’s Funeral Train
Music sheet from a University’s music exhibition following Lincoln’s Death
Video Clip: Lincoln’s Final Train through the Nation
Video Clip: Walt Whitman’s poem about the death of Lincoln:

5. Now you will break into groups to analyze primary source newspaper articles and poems following Lincoln’s death.
Answer the questions in each group then come back whole group to discuss.

6. Article in the New York times the Day after Lincoln’s Assassination

7. Article in the New York times the Day after Lincoln’s Assassination
(continued)

8. Article in the New York times explaining Lincoln’s Funeral

9. Article in the New York times explaining Lincoln’s Funeral
(continued)

10. Poem written by Herman Melville following Lincoln’s Death

11. Poem written by Walt Whitman following Lincoln’s Death

12. Name: _____________ Title of Primary Source: ________________________________________________
Why was this primary source written? _____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Was this primary source difficult to read? Yes or No If yes, why? _________________________________
3. How do you think the author felt when writing? Explain _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
4. How did you feel while reading your document? Explain ______________________________________
5. Discuss with your group and explain how you think Abraham Lincoln’s death affected the nation. _________