6. Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the USA
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on 14th April 1865.
President Lincoln, the First lady of America and head Union general Ulysses S. Grant were to attend Ford's Theatre in Washington DC. John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth was upset with the President's policy of quick reunification with a minimum of retribution.
He plotted to assassinate him with co- conspirators. Initially Booth had decided to merely kidnap the President but finding him unguarded, he aimed his gun at the back of his head and fired at point- blank range. Lincoln was injured severely.
Major Henry Rathbone saw Booth attack the President. He attempted to get back at him but Booth was quicker. He stabbed Major Henry and scarped. After being on the run for 12 days, Booth was tracked down and found on a farm in Virginia. Since he refused to surrender, he was killed.
President Lincoln struggled for life as a doctor assisted him. The doctor attempted to revive him but Lincoln fell into coma and died a couple of hours later.
Abraham Lincoln is regarded as one of America's greatest heroes due to both his incredible impact on the nation and his unique appeal. His is a remarkable story of the rise from humble beginnings to achieve the highest office in the land; then, a sudden and tragic death at a time when his country needed him most to complete the great task remaining before the nation.
