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Historian explains Michigan’s reaction to Lincoln assassination

Red theatre chair in display booth
Jason Tester Guerrilla Futures
/
Flickr

For the past four years, American have been captivated by events remembering the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Two years ago, the nation saw one of the largest gatherings in memory of the Battle of Gettysburg. Now we’ve come to the dramatic climax of the war: 150 years since the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.On April 14, 1865, actor John Wilkes Booth crept up behind Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater and shot him in the back of the head. Lincoln’s death was shocking because it was the first time in America’s short 89 year existence that it has lost a president to murder.

Current State’s Kevin Lavery talks with Roger Rosentreter, professor of history at Michigan State University, about Michigan’s response to that fateful moment.

Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.
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