U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on Good Friday, April 14, 1865, while attending the play Our American Cousin at Ford's Theater.

Shortly after 10 p.m. on April 14, 1865, actor John Wilkes Booth entered the presidential box at Ford's Theater in Washington D.C. At that time, Booth fatally shot President Abraham Lincoln. As Lincoln slumped forward in his seat, Booth jumped onto the stage and escaped through the back door. A doctor in the audience rushed over to examine the paralyzed president. Lincoln was then carried across the street to Petersen's Boarding House, where he died early the next morning.

Lincoln was the first president assassinated in U.S. history. Why did Booth do it? It has been stated that Booth thought it would aid the South, which had just surrendered to Union forces. It in fact had nearly the opposite effect. It ended the plans Lincoln had in mind for a rather generous peace.

Booth did not act alone. Immediately, "wanted" posters appeared everywhere, offering a reward for the arrest of Booth and his accomplices. The conspirators were all captured, and Booth was shot while trying to escape from Union soldiers.

In 1865, the whole country grieved over the death of President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was the first of 4 sitting presidents to be assassinated: Abraham Lincoln (16th President), James A. Garfield (20th President), William McKinley (25th President) and John F. Kennedy (35th President).

More Info: en.wikipedia.org