In the United States, there is no city that pays more tribute to all its presidents than its capital does, and that is the most important reason why Washington D.C. has so many places to visit. If you are touring the country do not hesitate to take the opportunity to make a day trip to Washington from NYC to soak up a little more of the North American history and discover more about famous presidents like Abraham Lincoln or George Washington.
In each monument built in this city you will find very interesting data about the history of the fathers of the country, so today we will dedicate this article to tell you 9 Things You May Not Know About the sixteenth president of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln.
1. The Former President Is Enshrined In The Wrestling Hall Of Fame.
Abraham Lincoln was an innate fighter, because thanks to his long limbs he managed to dominate the ring very well and it is said that he was defeated only once in about 300 matches.
2. Lincoln Created The Secret Service Hours Before His Assassination.
On April 14, 1865, Lincoln signed a law to formally create the United States Secret Service. But, curiously, that same night he was shot inside the Ford Theater facilities and, it is believed that, even if the Secret Service had been previously established, it would not have been able to save his life, since the original mission of the agency was to combat the widespread currency counterfeiting. It wasn’t until 1901, after the assassinations of two other presidents, that the Secret Service was formally assigned to protect the commander-in-chief.
3. The Grave Robbers Tried To Steal His Corpse.
The Secret Service was finally on a mission to protect Lincoln, but only in death. In 1876, a Chicago gang of counterfeiters attempted to snatch Lincoln’s corpse from his grave, which was protected only with a padlock in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. The gang’s plan was to retain the body and collect about $ 200,000 for its ransom plus the release of the gang’s best forger, who was in jail. At the time, Secret Service agents infiltrated the gang and hoped to disrupt the operation, meanwhile the former president’s body was quickly transferred to an unmarked grave before being locked in a steel cage and buried under 10 feet of concrete.
4. Abraham Lincoln Tested Rifles Outside The White House.
Lincoln was commander-in-chief of the military troops and had a great interest in artillery devices used by Union troops during the Civil War. At this time he attended artillery and cannon tests, meeting at the White House with inventors who taught him various military prototypes. Although there was a standing order against firing guns in the District of Columbia, Lincoln tested muskets and even rifles on the stretches of lawns around the White House, now known as the Ellipse, and the National Mall. One of today’s most coveted tourist spots and a must on any Day trip to DC from NYC.
5. John Wilkes Booth’s Brother Saved Lincoln’s Son’s Life.
A few months before John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln, the president’s eldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was on a train platform in Jersey City, New Jersey, where a crowd of passengers began to push the young man backwards, making him fall into the open space between the platform and a moving train. Suddenly a hand reached him out and grabbed him by the collar of his coat, saving his life. Robert Todd Lincoln immediately recognized his savior, the famous actor Edwin Booth.
6. His Mother Died From Drinking Poisoned Milk.
When Abraham was 9 years old, in 1818, his mother, Nancy, died of a mysterious “milk disease” that swept across southern Indiana. Over the years it was discovered that the strange disease was due to drinking milk from a cow that ingested contaminated plants, which turned out to be poisonous.
7. Lincoln Didn’t Move To Illinois Until He Was 21 Years Old.
Illinois may be known as the Land of Lincoln, but it was in Indiana that the 16th president spent his formative years. He was born in 1809 in Kentucky, in 1816 his father Thomas moved the family across the Ohio River to a 160-acre parcel in southern Indiana, however Lincoln did not immigrate to Illinois until 1830.
8. He Was Always Very Skeptical Of Religion
Despite being raised in a Baptist and highly believing environment, Lincoln never became a member of any church, preferring to keep his beliefs to himself and respecting those of others.
9. For Years There Has Been Speculation About His Sexual Inclination
From November 4, 1842, until the day of his death, he was married to Mary Todd with whom he had 4 children. Even though it has been said that Abraham Lincoln was homosexual as a result of the affective relationships he had with several men throughout his life, and for some poetry he wrote.
From his leadership he has been considered one of the most important presidents of the United States, as he achieved many improvements in the country’s infrastructure and helped its evolution after the Civil War. He also generated great political impact for the freeing of slaves, reason enough to be one of the most commemorated characters in the North American capital.
Go on a Washington D.C. one day tour from New York and visit the most representative monuments and museums in the nation.
