Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address: A Look at the Photo and the Document
On March 4, 1865, Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address. Somewhere in the crowd stood John Wilkes Booth, six weeks before Ford’s Theatre.
1860s
Washington spent most of the 1860s as a city at war. The Capitol dome was still under construction when the fighting started, and the city filled with soldiers, contraband camps, and field hospitals. Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theatre in April 1865. These are 139 stories from the decade that defined the District.
Exploring Howard University’s Old Main Building: Two Great Photos
Take a look into the past with two photos of Howard University’s Old Main Building. Explore the history of the building and its importance to the university.
The Evening Star: A Look at the Day After President Lincoln’s Assassination
On April 15, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. On the same day, The Evening Star newspaper was published, featuring a “Special Notice” that is as interesting as anything that could be published today. Take a look at the newspaper, the day after the assassination.
Exploring the Cool Print We Found on the Library of Congress Website
Discover a cool print found on the Library of Congress website. Check it out and explore what it has to offer
Uncovering History: A Look at Jubal Early’s Rebel Attack on Washington
Take a look back in history with this old map that shows Jubal Early’s Rebel attack on Washington. See the plan of the attack and learn more about this important moment in history.
Exploring History Through Photographs: Entrance to Washington Water Works at Great Falls, 1860s
Explore history through this amazing photograph from the 1860s. See the entrance to the Washington Water Works near Great Falls and discover more about this incredible image.
Great Falls, Virginia in 1864: A Civil War-Era Photograph
An 1864 photograph of Great Falls on the Potomac River, taken during the Civil War.
The Confederate Ironclad Stonewall in Washington Harbor, 1865
This photograph shows the Confederate ironclad CSS Stonewall anchored in Washington, D.C. in 1865, with the Capitol dome visible between its masts. The war had just ended. How a Confederate warship ended up tied up in the capital is a story worth knowing.
Uncovering the Actual Playbill for the Play Lincoln and His Wife Attended on April 14th, 1865
Check out this incredible find – the actual broadside advertising the play that President Lincoln and his wife chose to attend on the fateful night of April 14th, 1865. Click the image for great details.