One split second - and one individual - can upturn an entire nation.

This was definitely the case when John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre on the night of 14th April 1865.

What were the final days leading up to this huge moment like? How did the nation, and the future of enslaved African Americans, hang in the balance? And how did that long night after the gun was fired unfold?

You can now watch After Dark on Youtube: www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit

Produced by Stuart Beckwith. Edited by Tim Arstall. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.

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All music from Epidemic Sounds.

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.