This weekend is Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Yet today, we examine his death and reaction to it.
We've all heard how the nation was sent into a period of shock and grief when word of Lincoln's murder spread. Newspapers reported it that way. But what about the average American, North and South, black and white?
Martha Hodes set out to learn more from their letters and personal notes. The New York University professor wrote a book on the subject. "Mourning Lincoln" brings their intimate thoughts to light in the months after Lincoln's death. Sean Crawford talked with her:
Martha Hodes is the author of "Mourning Lincoln". It looks at reaction to Lincoln's death. The 209th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth is this Sunday.