THE DAY THAT WAS NEVER FORGOTTEN
by Danielle Coler
linked by Danielle Coler
As I drove home the day after the big celebration, I was still full of excitement. The war was over! I couldn’t believe it. The war that had been going on most of my childhood and that turned me into a man before I had the chance to grow up was finally over. The celebration was wonderful, something I had never experienced before in my life and probably never will again. All the way home, I kept picturing scenes from the night before. The fireworks were so bright and loud; they lit up the whole sky. The town band was playing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" with all their hearts while everybody sang proudly. My heart swelled up so much; I thought it was going to burst. I felt so many emotions. It was the first night I had felt happiness, excitement, and joy in a long time. It was so nice, yet unfamilar to feel like a boy of thirteen years again.
"Oh, I see the house," I whispered to myself. Everybody came running out of the house, as soon as they heard the team of horses. "Hi, I'll be right there as soon as I put the team in the barn," I yelled. I walked in the door to the smell of home cooked food and smiling faces. All at once I was bombarded with questions. "What all did you see?" asked one of the little boys. "Was it exciting?" asked Nancy. "What did the town folk have to say?" Ma wondered. "Sit down and tell us everything," said Pa. I tried to explain the celebration the best I could. I told them all about the lights in the sky and the beautiful sound of the music, but I knew that no matter how well I described it and how excited I made everything sound, one just had to be there to really understand the overwhelming feeling of it all.
April was here and everything came into bloom. The people were a little more cheery and optimistic about life. The flowers were bright and beautiful. The apple and peach orchards were flourishing. The people as well as the earth seemed vibrant and full of life, then came that day. The dreaded day that nobody would ever forget. On April 14, 1865, the brightness of spring became dark once more.
It was odd for Nancy to come all the way out to this field, I thought as she was approaching. I could tell by the look on her face that something terrible had happened. Is it Pa, did something happen to Pa? Did she get word that my brother John had died when peace was almost within reach? My mind kept racing trying to figure out what could possibly be wrong. I would never have thought or have been prepared for what she told me. "Jethro, it's the President - they've killed the President." I stood there shocked, not knowing what to think, what to do, or what to put my hope in. Why, I kept thinking. Why did it have to happen?
This is a historical fiction story adapted from Across Five Aprils, by Irene Hunt. The assassination of President Lincoln did occur on April 14,1865 and it did have a significant effect on the people. However, Jethro and his family are all made up characters.
QUESTIONS
1. What was the name of the character who was telling the story and how old was he at the time?
2. What celebration was Jethro describing at the beginning of the story?
3. What happened on April 14, 1865?
4. If you were celebrating the end of a war, what would you do and how would you feel?
5. What do you think happened after Nancy told Jethro the President was killed?
6. Do you think everybody reacted to the President's death the way Jethro did? If not, how do you think they might have reacted?
OUTLINE
I. Jethro was coming home from a celebration
A. Excitement about the war being over
B. Describes the celebration
C. Emotions Jethro felt
II. Jethro arrives home
A. Greeted by his family
B. Questions are asked about the celebration
C. Jethro explains the events of the celebration
III. The month of April
A. Everything is in bloom
B. The people and the earth seem vibrant and full of life
C. The dreaded day of April 14, 1865 brought darkness once again
IV. The President is killed
A. Nancy goes to the field with a look of terror on her face
B. Jethro's mind races with reasons for that look
C. They've killed the President
D. Jethro shocked keeps thinking WHY
POSSIBLE PROPS
* straw hat
* pick or other farm tool
* a small American flag that could be from the celebration
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. Jethro, thirteen years old
2. the end of the war
3. the President was killed
4. answers will vary
5. answers will vary
6. answers will vary
SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION
* The day Lincoln was shot, by Jim Bishop
* An inquiry into the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, by Emmett McLoughlin