April 1865, Two Journeys – by S. McBride

In today’s world, John Wilkes Booth would be called a “rock star”.  He was handsome, talented and well-paid.  He came from a prominent family of thespians.  He may have been an indifferent student, but he was skilled at fencing and horsemanship.  He was well-known in Washington, D. C. from his many performances on the stage, and his stunning good looks certainly caught the attention of many.

This Week in The Civil War – A Single Shot – by S. McBride

A nation breathing a collective sigh of relief after a long and bloody civil war.  A packed theater.  A celebratory crowd. A wave of laughter punctuated by the pop of a single gunshot.  A man leaping to the stage in front of a full-house crowd, crying “Sic semper tyrannis!”  Screams. A blood-curdling shriek from the flag-draped box from which the man had jumped at stage left. Confusion. Chaos. Fear.

It was Good Friday, April 14, 1865.

Read the entire article in the April 16th issue.