Lincoln Arrives in Washington, D.C.

Posted on February 23, 2014

After receiving several threats, President-elect Abraham Lincoln finally arrived in Washington, D.C. on February 23, 1861.

He altered his appearance, replacing his trademark stovepipe hat with a soft felt hat, to go unnoticed. He also hunched over to try to disguise his towering height. Lincoln arrived in Washington D.C. in the middle of the night, safely.

The reason for the tight security and preventative measures?

Seven states had already succeeded from the Union since Abe became president and the civil war was on the brink of occurring.