LINCOLN’S LAST NIGHT premieres on Saturday, February 2 at 8 PM. The programme will repeat on 10th February at 3 pm and 12th February at 6 pm.
LINCOLN'S LAST NIGHT begins by tracing Lincoln’s career from the early years to his successful ascent into America’s politics. It is a story of a young boy from the prairie who fought his way all the way to the top to become the 16th President of the U.S, and who, at the peak of his power, was killed by John Wilkes Booth - a popular American stage actor - while attending a theatre performance. In LINCOLN’S LAST NIGHT, join the hunt for Lincoln’s murderer, explore Booth’s motivations for his hideous deed, disentangle his carefully planned crime that was put together like a Shakespearian plot and the revelation of the group of conspirators who helped him with his fatal deed.
LINCOLN’S LAST NIGHT paints a lifelike portrait of this great leader’s life, having been filmed in spectacular locations across the U.S. and featuring a cast of more than 80 historical actors; it is a gripping account of how one gunshot changed the country forever.
About Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865.
He was born in 1809 in Kentucky, a dangerous place to live with bears and other wild animals in the woods. His mother died when he was nine years old and soon afterwards, his father married a widow with three children. Abraham was a young boy from the country, poorly educated, but full of ambition despite attending school for just 300 days. He was compassionate and determined to fight against injustice.
At age 28, Lincoln moved to Springfield, Illinois, to pursue a law career. In 1842, he married a well-educated lady called Mary Toddand had four children with her. Through her, Lincoln was introduced to higher social circles. She became his most trusted advisor, and helped his political career. As a young man, Lincoln saw people shackled and beaten because of the colour of their skin. Slavery became the biggest issue for Lincoln and was the subject on which he conducted his political life. In 1858, Lincoln ran against Stephen A. Douglas for Senator. He lost the election, but in debating with Douglas he gained a national reputation that won him the Republican nomination for President in 1860.
As President, he built the Republican Party into a strong national organisation. He also rallied most of the northern Democrats to the Union cause. In 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation that declared forever free those slaves within the Confederacy.
In 1864, Abraham Lincoln was re-elected to a second term in the White House, as Union military triumphs heralded an end to the war. On April 14th, 1865, Lincoln and his wife Mary attended a theatrical performance at the Ford’s Theatre, where he was assassinated by popular stage actor, John Wilkes Booth.
The Presidential biographies on WhiteHouse.gov are from “The Presidents of the United States of America,” by Michael Beschloss and Hugh Sidey. Copyright 2009 by the White House Historical Association.
Source: www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/abrahamlincoln
About Discovery HD World
Discovery HD World is a global high-definition television network offering factual and lifestyle entertainment that fulfills the promise of high-definition technology. Delivering the ideal viewing experience, Discovery HD World brings audiences even closer to their world with breathtaking imagery and expansive detail, featuring programming on the wonders of the world ranging from culture, science and natural history to travel and lifestyle themes. Discovery offers HD services in 157 markets, including the United States. For more information, visit Discovery HD World at www.asia.discovery.com
