Historical Events tagged with "lincoln"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Arts & Culture

Dedication of the Lincoln Memorial Ceremony

May 30th, 1922 102 years ago

The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1922, in Washington, D.C., honoring President Abraham Lincoln. The ceremony featured numerous notable speakers, including Chief Justice William Howard Taft and President Warren G. Harding. Thousands attended to celebrate Lincoln's legacy as a champion of unity and freedom. The memorial features a grand seated statue of Lincoln and inscriptions of two of his most famous speeches, emphasizing his beliefs in democracy and equality.

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Military & Warfare

First Test Drive of Tank Prototype

September 6th, 1915 109 years ago

William Foster & Co. completed the first tank prototype for the British Army and conducted its first test drive. This innovative vehicle was designed to navigate the challenging conditions of trench warfare, showcasing military ingenuity during World War I. The prototype, named 'Little Willie', represented a new approach to combat and engineering, aiming to overcome entrenched enemy positions. The test drive marked a significant step toward mechanized warfare and contributed to the evolution of armored vehicles in military strategies.

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Crime & Law

Murder of John Tunstall Ignites Lincoln County War

February 18th, 1878 147 years ago

John Tunstall was murdered by outlaw Jesse Evans in Lincoln County, New Mexico, on February 18, 1878. This act of violence was a pivotal moment that ignited the Lincoln County War, a conflict between rival factions in the county over business interests. Tunstall was a prominent cattleman and merchant, and his murder marked the escalation of tensions between his supporters and those aligned with Evans. As a consequence, a series of violent confrontations ensued, drawing in local lawmen and forming the backdrop for the notorious skirmishes that characterized the war.

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Crime & Law

Attack on Seward Family by Lewis Powell

April 14th, 1865 159 years ago

Lewis Powell, a conspirator of John Wilkes Booth, attacked William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State, in his home during a coordinated series of attacks against key government officials. Powell entered the Seward residence in Washington D.C., believing that Secretary Seward was responsible for the oppression of the South. He inflicted severe stab wounds on Seward, who was recovering from an accident, and also attacked family members before fleeing the scene amidst the chaos of a wider assassination plot that targeted President Abraham Lincoln that same night.

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Politics & Government

Abraham Lincoln Assassinated at Ford's Theatre

April 14th, 1865 159 years ago

President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., while attending a play entitled 'Our American Cousin.' Booth, a famous actor and Confederate sympathizer, shot Lincoln in the back of the head and fled the scene. He then took an escape route out of the city, but the nation was plunged into mourning. Lincoln died the following day in a nearby boarding house, leaving his legacy deeply affected by the violence of his assassination.

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Military & Warfare

Sherman Presents Savannah to Lincoln as a Gift

December 22nd, 1864 160 years ago

General William Tecumseh Sherman captured the city of Savannah, Georgia, bringing a strategic victory to the Union forces during the American Civil War. After his famous March to the Sea, Sherman’s Army of the Tennessee besieged Savannah and secured its surrender on December 21, 1864. On December 22, he communicated with President Abraham Lincoln, humorously offering Savannah as a Christmas gift amid the ongoing conflict. The capture of Savannah marked a significant moment in the war, effectively cutting off Confederate supply lines and showcasing the Union's military prowess.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Emancipation Proclamation Enacted in the South

January 1st, 1863 162 years ago

The Emancipation Proclamation took effect, declaring that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory were to be freed. Issued by President Abraham Lincoln, this decisive measure aimed to weaken the Confederacy and bolster the Union's moral stance in the Civil War. Although it did not immediately free all enslaved individuals, it marked a significant turning point in the legal status of enslaved people in the United States. The proclamation's impact extended beyond immediate freedom, as it encouraged many enslaved individuals to escape to Union lines.

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Military & Warfare

Abraham Lincoln Removes George B. McClellan

November 5th, 1862 162 years ago

Abraham Lincoln removed George B. McClellan from command of the Army of the Potomac due to frustrations over his cautious approach in combat during the American Civil War. This decision came after McClellan's hesitancy to engage Confederate forces effectively, leading to delayed maneuvers. Lincoln aimed to rejuvenate the Union's war efforts, pushing for more aggressive leadership to secure vital victories in the conflict. The change in command was seen as a crucial step towards revitalizing Union strategies against the Confederacy.

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Military & Warfare

Lincoln Restores McClellan's Command After Defeat

September 2nd, 1862 162 years ago

After General John Pope's defeat at the Second Battle of Bull Run, President Abraham Lincoln reinstated General George B. McClellan to lead the Union Army. This decision came amidst increasing pressure from political leaders and military failures in Virginia, where McClellan had previously commanded the Army of the Potomac. His reinstatement reflected Lincoln's urgent need for reliable leadership to confront the Confederate forces threatening Washington, D.C.

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