Today In History

In 1861: Three days after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, President Lincoln declared a state of insurrection and called out Union troops.

In 1865: President Lincoln died, several hours after he was shot by John Wilkes Booth. Andrew Johnson became the nation’s 17th president.

In 1912: The “Titanic” sank in the North Atlantic off Newfoundland, less than three hours after striking an iceberg. About 1,500 people died.

In 1945: During World War II, British and Canadian troops liberated the Nazi concentration camp Bergen-Belsen.

In 1986: The United States launched an air raid against Libya in response to the bombing of a discotheque in Berlin on April 5; Libya said 37 people were killed.