Figure 1 – Theodore and Elliott Roosevelt watching the Lincoln Funeral procession approaching Union Square in NYC, April 1865. In the archives of the New York Historical Society and in the public domain because of its age.

Yesterday, April 12, 2015, was the 150th anniversary of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.  The death of the leader who had brought his nation through the tragedy of a great and cataclysmic civil war only to fall victim just two days later is, of course, the mythic substance that legends are made of.  And Americans have long wondered how things might have been different or even if they would have been different.

Lincoln was president at a time when photography was coming into its own, as a campaign tool, and yes, as a critical part of legend building.  In commemoration of the date, I thought that I would share a very famous image of the Lincoln funeral procession approaching Union Square in New York City in April (24th or 25th) 1865. If you look very closely at the second story window of the building shown, you will see two you boys watching the funeral  They are six year old Theodore Roosevelt and his brother Elliott.