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John Wilkes Booth is born
On May 10th, 1838, John Wilkes both was born. He was born in an area near Bel Air Maryland. He was the ninth of ten children. His parents were Junius Brutus Booth and Mary Ann Holmes. -
John Wilkes Booth gets into acting
On August 4, 1855, John Wilkes Booth was in his first play. The play was Richard III. He had a supporting role. -
The Civil War Begins
On April 12, 1861, the civil war began. The war started off with the siege of Fort Sumter. During the war, John Wilkes Booth is openly a supporter of the Confederacy. -
John WIlkes Booth gets his first major role
In January of 1862, John Wilkes Booth got his first major role. The role was for a character in his first play, Richard III. He was the leading actor in the play. -
Booth Plans Lincoln's Kidnapping
On March 17th, 1865, John Wilkes Booth plotted to kidnap Lincoln and hold him for ransom in order to release Confederate Army Prisoners. Booth plotted with Lewis Powell, George Atzerodt, David Herold, Samuel Arnold, Michael O’Laughlen and John Surratt, but they would never go through with the plan. -
Abraham Lincoln's Last Speech
On April 11th, 1865, Abraham Lincoln gave his last speech. The speech took place two days after the surrender of Robert E. Lee. John Wilkes Booth attended, and said "That is the last speech he will make." -
John Wilkes Booth shoots Abraham Lincoln
On April 15, 1865, which was also good Friday, John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln in the back of the head while he was watching a play in Ford's Theatre. He then stabbed Henry Rathbone and jumped off the balcony.He then took off outside on his getaway horse. -
Booth Fixes Broken Leg, Lincoln Dies
On April 15th, 1865, Samuel Mudd set Booth's left leg, which was either broken after jumping off the stage or after his horse fell on him. Later that day, Lincoln is pronounced dead. Booth continues to move to the Potomac River. -
Booth Gets to Virginia
On April 24th, 1865, Booth made it to VIrginia. Three soldiers from the Confederacy help him cross the Rappahannock River, and Booth finds shelter in a barn owned by Richard Garrett. Samuel Mudd, the doctor who set Booth’s broken leg is arrested. -
John Wilkes Booth dies
On the 26th of April, 1865, John Wilkes Booth was shot and killed. He was found hiding in Garrett's Barn. After refusing to surrender, the barn was set on fire. he crawled out with bad burns, and died soon after from the gunshot.
