John Wilkes Booth, a notorious figure in American history, was born on May 10, 1838, near Bel Air, Maryland. He came from a prominent theatrical family and achieved success as a young actor, admired for his good looks and passionate performances. However, his fame was tragically eclipsed by his actions on April 14, 1865. A fervent Confederate sympathizer, Booth fatally shot President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. He then fled the scene, hoping to spark a Southern uprising. Cornered by authorities twelve days later in Virginia, Booth was shot and killed on April 26, 1865. The assassination of the President plunged the nation into mourning and forever tarnished Booth’s family’s legacy.
