At what time did the Lincolns arrive at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865?

At what time did the Lincolns arrive at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865?

• A. 7:45 PM
• B. 8:30 PM
• C. 9:15 PM
• D. 8:00 PM

Answer: (B)

Timeliness of the arrival matters because it anchors the sequence of events that night. Historical accounts place the Lincolns arriving at Ford's Theatre around 8:30 PM, after the shows had begun, and settling into the presidential box to watch Our American Cousin. This timing fits the documented timeline of that evening, placing them in the theatre during the early part of the performance and before the later tragedy. Times earlier than the start of the show or much later don’t align with how the evening unfolded. So, 8:30 PM is the best answer.

Timeliness of the arrival matters because it anchors the sequence of events that night. Historical accounts place the Lincolns arriving at Ford's Theatre around 8:30 PM, after the shows had begun, and settling into the presidential box to watch Our American Cousin. This timing fits the documented timeline of that evening, placing them in the theatre during the early part of the performance and before the later tragedy. Times earlier than the start of the show or much later don’t align with how the evening unfolded. So, 8:30 PM is the best answer.