- History of Today
- Posts
- What happened on April 14th?
What happened on April 14th?
A tragic night at Ford's theatre
Matthew Jones
April 14, 2025
1865 Abraham Lincoln Is Assassinated at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC
On April 14th, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot while attending a play at Ford's Theatre. He succumbed to his injuries the following day, becoming the first US president to be assassinated. His death marked a profound moment in American history, deeply affecting the nation mere days into the Reconstruction era.
This depiction from a mechanical glass slide by T. M. McAllister of New York shows John Wilkes Booth leaning forward to shoot President Abraham Lincoln as he watches Our American Cousin at Ford's Theater in Washington, DC.
🗞️Today’s Headlines
Everything important that’s ever happened on April 14:
2014 — Boko Haram kidnapped 275 schoolgirls from a boarding school in Chibok, Nigeria, drawing international outrage.
2010 — The Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted, sending vast ash plumes into the atmosphere and grounding flights across Europe.
2003 — Researchers declared the Human Genome Project complete after successfully mapping the human genome following thirteen years of research.
1952 — Ralph Ellison published Invisible Man, a groundbreaking novel exploring African-American identity and systemic racism in the United States.
1471 — Edward IV defeated Henry VI’s forces at the Battle of Barnet, regaining the English throne after a decisive victory.
🎂 Today’s Birthdays
On April 14, we’re singing to:
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891) — Indian political leader and social reformer best known for his critical role in drafting India’s Constitution and advocating for the rights of Dalits.
Julie Christie (1940) — British actress renowned for her performances in films like Doctor Zhivago and McCabe & Mrs. Miller, which earned her an Academy Award.
Sarah Michelle Gellar (1977) — American actress best known for her iconic role as Buffy Summers in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which became a cultural phenomenon.
🪦Who Died Today?
On April 14, we’re saying goodbye to:
George Frideric Handel (1759) — German-English composer famed for his baroque masterpieces, including Messiah and Water Music, which remain staples of classical music.
Bernie Madoff (2021) — American financier and former stockbroker, notorious for running the largest Ponzi scheme in history, defrauding investors of billions of dollars.
How Am I Doing?
What do you think of the History of Today?Let me know what you think so I can be better 😀 |