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Birth
John Wilkes Booth was born on May 10th, 1838 near Bel Air, Maryland. -
Military School
On November 30, 1852, John Booth's father dies. At the time, John was in military school, trying to become a solider. After the death of his father, he wanted to pursue what he once did: Acting. -
Start of Career
When Booth turns 17, his acting career truly begins. In Baltimore, he plays as Earl of Richmond in being apart of a Shakespeare play know as Richard III. Soon after, he was invited to tour the whole country doing Shakespeare plays. -
Virginia Militia
Booth joins a Virginia militia that wants to preserve slavery. This militia is also the group that captured John Brown at his attack on Harpers Ferry. He acted as a spy for the rebels while he was with Brown. -
Arrested
On March 1, 1862 Booth is arrested for making anti-government remarks in front of a provost Marshall. Booth said that he was all for what the South believed in. He never had to serve any time though. -
Booth performs for the President
On November 24, 1863, Booth performs The Marble Art. In the crowd is the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. This will be the one and only time Booth performs for him. -
Kidnaping
Booth hires six southerners to try and kidnap President Lincoln for Booth. This plan fails as Lincoln doesn't show up where they thought he would. Booth's plan would change a month later. -
Engagement
Booth had been in a very serious relationship for awhile. On March 16, 1865, Booth secretly proposes to Lucy Lambert Hale. When Lincoln gave his second inaugural address, Booth invited Lucy as his guest. -
Lincoln's Inaugural Speech
When Lincoln was giving his speech, he said that he would limit Black's suffrage by granting them the right to vote. Booth was in shock at this point. He said to his friends that this would be the last speech Lincoln will ever give. -
Assassinating the President
On April 14. 1865, Booth has a new plan that still involves President Lincoln. But instead of just kidnaping him, he was going to kill him. At 10:20 in Ford's Theater, Booth enters the Presidents box and shoots Lincoln at point blank range. He then jumps off the stage, breaking his leg, and goes to the rendezvous point to escape. -
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The Manhunt
For twelve days, a manhunt is sent out to try and find John Wilkes Booth and anyone who assisted in his assassination. After Booth got away from Ford's Theater, he got medical attention from Doctor Samuel Mudd. He then continued to hide in many places until he was found on Garrett's farm where he had his last fight before dying from a gunshot.
