"Now He Belongs To The Ages"

146 years ago today, April 15, 1863, at 7:22am, Edwin Stanton said of Abraham Lincoln "Now he belongs to the ages" when Lincoln was pronounced dead.

For my Leadership class we were required to read this book:

I learned quite a few tidbits from this book, like how Salmon Chase was the lawer that became the base for Uncle Tom's Cabin, and how Thanksgiving became a National Holiday during Lincoln's tenure, and how the first ever military draft caused a riot in New York that resulted in over 100 deaths of innocent black citizens. Seriously, I recommend this book. The lady at the bookshop we bought it at said many people read this book as light bedtime reading. Originally I didn't believe her, but now I can completely understand. I can honestly say that I loved all 754 pages that it took me 3 months to read.

Around midnight tonight I started chapter 26 "The Final Weeks" and read of Seward and Lincoln's assassinations. Tears streamed down my cheeks for 18 pages as tragedy upon tragedy unfolded before me and I realized I was reading of the events on the same day and same time that they happened 146 years ago. We live in a cruel world... but how much better is it because of Abraham Lincoln and good, kind, humble, authentic and honest men like him?

I highly recommend reading this book. I'll even lend you my copy (don't mind the notes in the margins and prevalent underlining) after Mom finishes it.