Photo: Abraham Lincoln, by Alexander Gardner, 8 November 1863. Credit: Mead Art Museum; Wikimedia Commons.

Lincoln Pleads for Peace in War-Torn Missouri

By Tony Pettinato on February 20, 2025

A letter Pres. Lincoln wrote to Missouri Gov. Fletcher on 20 February 1865 pleading for “old friendships” and “Christian charity” to end the violence... (Read More)

Photo: President Abraham Lincoln delivering his second inaugural address, Washington, D.C., 4 March 1865. Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

Mayflower Descendants: Who’s Who, Part 36

By Melissa Berry on October 3, 2023

Melissa Berry writes about Mayflower descendant Edward Snow recounting the time his grandparents attended President Lincoln’s second inaugural address... (Read More)

Photo: a poster letting people know that no business will be conducted on Washington's Birthday (then celebrated on February 22), c. 1895. Credit: Edward Penfield; Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

3 Facts about Presidents’ Day That May Surprise You

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on February 20, 2023

Gena Philibert-Ortega clears up some confusion about today’s federal holiday: is it Washington’s Birthday or Presidents’ Day or President’s Day?.. (Read More)

Illustration: L. Prang & Co. print (1887) of the painting “Hancock at Gettysburg” by Thure de Thulstrup, showing Pickett’s Charge. Restoration by Adam Cuerden. Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

What Happened in the Battle of Gettysburg? A Comprehensive Guide

By GenealogyBank on January 19, 2023

Exploring your family history throughout the Civil War? Learn what happened in the Battle of Gettysburg & how to determine if your ancestors fought there!.. (Read More)

Photo: detail from a Carte de Visite of John Wilkes Booth, undated. Credit: Black & Case; Wikimedia Commons.

Editorials about the Death of John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln’s Assassin

By Tony Pettinato on April 26, 2021

Editorials about the shooting death of John Wilkes Booth on 26 April 1865, 12 days after Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln... (Read More)

Photo: Abraham Lincoln, by Alexander Gardner, 8 November 1863. Credit: Mead Art Museum; Wikimedia Commons.oto: Abraham Lincoln, by Alexander Gardner, 8 November 1863. Credit: Mead Art Museum; Wikimedia Commons.

Reaction to Lincoln’s 1st Inaugural Address

By Tony Pettinato on March 4, 2021

An article about President Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural address, on 4 March 1861, as he eloquently tried to heal divisions and avert a civil war... (Read More)

Illustrations: "George Washington" by Gilbert Stuart, and "Abraham Lincoln" by George Peter Alexander Healy. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

3 Steps to Researching Your Presidential Ancestors

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on February 15, 2021

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega gives three tips for researching that family story saying you’re related to a U.S. president... (Read More)

Illustration: "Assassination of Abraham Lincoln." This Currier & Ives print (1865) implies Rathbone was already rising as Booth fired at Lincoln; in fact, Rathbone was unaware of Booth until he heard the shot. Credit: Currier & Ives; Wikimedia Commons.

Lincoln’s Assassination: The Curse of the Presidential Box

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on April 14, 2020

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about some of the other victims of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination on 14 April 1865... (Read More)

American Traitor: 3 Facts about John Wilkes Booth, Slayer of Abraham Lincoln

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on April 12, 2018

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to learn more about President Abraham Lincoln’s killer: John Wilkes Booth... (Read More)