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Comparison: Lincoln/JFK’s Assassination 37
The complete list of the
comparisons between
Lincoln and Kennedy’s
assassinations
History has many puzzling mysteries and
questions that often cannot be explained, no
matter how hard you try. There are mind-
blowing coincidences that are almost too
bizarre. For example, four of the United States
Founding Fathers (Thomas Jefferson, John
Adams, James Monroe, and James Madison) all
died on July 4, but in different years. That’s a
pretty freaky coincidence, isn’t it?
However, this coincidence isn’t nearly as
bizarre as the many comparisons between
Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy’s
assassinations, nearly 100 years apart from each
other. The presidents were both assassinated in
two of the most popular historical moments in
U.S. history. But there are some interesting
comparisons between the two deaths that we
have to consider.
Comparing Lincoln and Kennedy’s
assassinations
When President Kennedy was assassinated on
November 22, 1963, it didn’t take long for
historians and theorists to quickly create a list • Both presidents fathered four children and
comparing his untimely death to that of
President Lincoln’s assassination on April 14,
1865. Once they started making comparisons,
they couldn’t stop. They realized the two
presidents had more more in common then the
fact that they both served incomplete
presidencies.
For example, Kennedy was assassinated
by Lee Harvey Oswald while riding in a Lincoln
motorcade (made by Ford) in Dallas, Texas.
Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth
(his name also containing three words) while
attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in
Washington, D.C. But the comparisons don’t
stop there.
Comparing Lincoln and Kennedy’s
lives
The list considers not only the comparisons
between the two assassinations but also, the
presidents’ lives. Containing nearly 50 facts, the comparisons between their assassinations. It Lincoln and Kennedy: Coincidence?
list reviews the men’s political careers, personal was almost like the assassinations were planned
relationships, important dates, locations, and long before the presidents ever took office.
more.
The list contains personal facts, as followed:
• Lincoln was elected to the House of
Representatives in 1846. Kennedy was also
elected to the House of Representatives, but
100 years later in 1946.
• Both presidents were losing candidates for
their party’s vice-presidential nomination in
1856 and 1956.
• Both presidents were elected to the
presidency 100 years apart, Lincoln in 1860
and Kennedy in 1960.
• The names Lincoln and Kennedy each
contain seven letters.
• Both men were concerned with civil rights
and proved to be advocates during their
presidencies. Lincoln signed the
Emancipation Proclamation in 1862 and
Kennedy proposed the Civil Rights Act of
1964.
• Their successors were both Southern
Democrats named Johnson (Andrew
Johnson and Lyndon B. Johnson). Both men
were born 100 years apart in 1808 and 1908.
• Both presidents had been captains of ships
in their private lives.
• Both men suffered from a genetic disease.
Lincoln had Marfan’s syndrome and
Kennedy had Addison’s disease.
lost a son during their presidencies.
• Both presidents were highly regarded for
their wit and eloquence. They often quoted
William Shakespeare and the Bible in their
political speeches.
• Both presidents were in their 30s when they • Both presidents had bodyguards named
married their 24-year-old wives, Mary Todd
Lincoln, and Jacqueline Kennedy. Both
wives spoke fluent French.
• They were both born as second children in
their families.
• Kennedy was the second president in U.S.
history to issue interest-free money. The
first was Lincoln, who issued greenbacks to
offer financial support during the Civil War. • Both doctors who attended to the presidents
Comparing their assassinations
While it’s interesting to review the many
unusual comparisons between the presidents’
personal lives, there are even more bizarre
The list reads as followed:
• Both presidents were shot in the head.
• Both men were assassinated on a Friday
while sitting beside their wives. The Fridays find comparisons between most historical
preceded a major holiday (Lincoln was
assassinated the week of Easter Sunday and
Kennedy was assassinated the week of
Thanksgiving).
• The assassinations occurred in a city that you believe something else. Regardless, both
was the 14th largest in the nation
(Washington D.C. and Dallas).
• The names John Wilkes Booth and Lee
Harvey Oswald each contain 15 letters.
• The assassins committed their crimes in the
building where he was employed. Booth
was an actor at Ford’s Theater and Oswald
worked at Texas School Book Depository.
• Both presidents were smiling at the time of
the assassinations.
• After shooting Lincoln, Booth ran from the
theater to a warehouse. Likewise, after
shooting Kennedy, Oswald ran from a
warehouse to a theater.
• Both assassins were shot and killed with a
Colt revolver.
• Both assassins were also Southern white
men in their mid-20s and were 5’8” in
height with hazel eyes and brown hair.
• Both assassins changed their names as
adults and were bachelors.
• Both assassins fled the scene of the crime
using modes of transportation they didn’t
own. Booth rented a horse and Oswald rode
a public bus. They suffered injuries during
their escape plans.
William.
• Lincoln’s secretary, Kennedy, warned him
not to attend the theatre performance.
Kennedy’s secretary, Lincoln, warned him
not to travel to Dallas.
• Lincoln sat in box number seven at Ford’s
Theater. Similarly, Kennedy sat in car
number seven in the motorcade.
were named Charles.
• Each president died in a place with the
initials “P.H.” Lincoln died at the Petersen
House and Kennedy died at Parkland
Hospital.
What are we supposed to gather from these
bizarre comparisons? Are they simply
coincidences or is it a conspiracy theory?
According to historians, the similarities
between Lincoln and Kennedy are of mere
chance. If you search hard enough, it’s easy to
events.
It’s human nature to search for clues to
make sense of tragedies. Maybe you believe the
assassinations were “meant to be,” or maybe
presidents’ lives were cut short. Just imagine
what they could have accomplished during the
rest of their presidencies if they only had the
opportunity. []