April 14, 1865 will forever be remembered as a sad day for the United States. The events at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC on that fateful night would forever change history.
The “Lincoln Flag” was borne after the death of President Abraham Lincoln. It was actually the U.S. Flag which only had 36 stars at the time, which was placed as a front bunting on the State Box at the theater from where Lincoln was watching.
John Wilkes Booth was Lincoln’s assassin. He shot the president from the back using his derringer. The president was severely wounded on the head so the flag was quickly taken to be folded. It was where the president rest his bleeding head before he died minutes later.
The “Lincoln Flag” would then become an important piece of history, representing the nation’s leader who removed slavery. The uncommon 36-star flag would symbolize the grief that the entire nation felt after he died. It would represent the “National Sadness” that continued after the country was plagued with four years of Civil War. Thomas Gourlay and his family would become the official caretakers of the special banner.
The U.S. flag that was placed in front of the State Box at Ford’s Theater was actually large. The evening’s show at the time was “Our American Cousin”, featuring Laura Keene. Abe Lincoln was with his wife Mary at the time.
Booth was successful in his assassination attempt at the president, especially since Lincoln’s bodyguard was not available that night. Booth carefully planned his lethal mission and was able to escape afterwards.
Labels: American flags, custom flag, custom flag maker, custom flag. personalized flag, United States flag
by:
The Flagman
