Today is the 150th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s Death.
Lincoln was a great president – a great man – who lead our country through it’s most difficult days.
Last week my family spent several Spring Break days in Washington D.C. We visited the Petersen House, where Lincoln died on April 15, 1865. It was a sacred place for us, honoring the life and work of Abraham Lincoln and remembering our own call to work for justice.
In honor of the 150th Anniversary, the Petersen House displayed a special exhibit of artifacts from the Lincoln assassination. The display included the coat and hat Lincoln wore to Ford’s Theatre that night, the dress Mary Todd Lincoln was wearing, the gun Booth used to assassinate Lincoln, and an American Flag from the President’s Box at the theater, stained with Lincoln’s blood.
Of special interest to the readers of Pens ‘n’ Coffee, the exhibit contained the contents of Lincoln’s pockets when he was shot. These contents were displayed much like a modern EDC pocket dump, showcasing his tools for the day.
The contents of Abraham Lincoln’s pockets on the night he was assassinated. File photo from Library of Congress.
What did Abraham Lincoln have in his pockets on the night he was assassinated?
- Two pairs of glasses, one held together with string and one that folded.
- A glasses case.
- A pocket knife.
- A watch.
- A handkerchief.
- A watch fob.
- A sleeve button.
- A leather wallet, containing a Confederate five-dollar bill, newspaper clippings from his reelection campaign, and a small pencil.
Did you catch the last item? What writing utensil did Lincoln carry in his pocket that night? A small pencil.
In honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, I declare that April 15 henceforth shall be National Pocket Pencil Day. I encourage you to carry a pencil in your pocket today, perhaps a small one, to honor the life and work of Abraham Lincoln and as a reminder to carry on his legacy in our own work.
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It looks like it might be that white disc at the crease of the concertina’d purse part? Maybe it slides out. Fancy!
Yes, Edward, I assumed that was the pencil when I saw the display in person. I was sad that the pencil wasn’t well displayed.