Mary Elizabeth Jenkins Surratt
(1820 or May 1823 – July 7, 1865)

Mary Surratt was executed by the U.S. government for her
role as a conspirator in Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.

Surratt, who owned a tavern in Surrattsville (now Clinton),
Maryland, had to convert her row house in Washington, D.C.,
into a boardinghouse as a result of financial difficulties.

Located a few blocks from Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln
was murdered, this house served as the place where a
group of Confederate supporters, including John Wilkes
Booth, conspired to assassinate the president. It was
Surratt’s association with Booth that ultimately led to her
conviction, though debate continues as to the extent of
her involvement and whether it really warranted so harsh
a sentence.

A newspaper drawing of Surratt receiving comfort
from one of the priests permitted to visit her in her
prison cell.

Aftermath of the execution of Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell,
David Herold, and George Atzerodt on July 7, 1865.

Surratt’s boarding house, c. 1890, little changed
from how it looked during her occupancy.

Surratt’s boarding house, which now houses a restaurant,
is in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

   
    
    
    
    
    
   
CAMILLE BOHANNON

On this day in 1961, America was asked by President Kennedy to
work toward putting a man on the moon before the end of the
decade.

On this day in 1977, "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" opened
and became the largest grossing film to date.

Director George Lucas.

In Houston on this day in 2006, former Enron Corp. chiefs Kenneth
Lay and Jeffrey Skillinng were convicted of conspiracy and fraud
for the downfall of Enron.

It was on this day in 1992, Jay Leno debuted as the new permanent
host of NBC’s "Tonight Show."

Comedian Billy Crystal (left) was Leno’s first guest on the show. He
also appeared on Leno’s final “Tonight Show” episode on February
6, 2014.

MIKE GRACIA

It was on this day in 2005.

John Wilkes Booth

Public testimony at the Iran-Contra hearing began on this day in
1987 with National Security Council staff member Oliver North
testifying before a Congressional committee.  He was ultimately
indicted on 16 felony counts.

It was on this day in 1981, President Ronald Reagan announced
he was nominating Arizona Judge Sandra Day O’Connor to
become the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sandra Day O’Connor turned 81 in March.

Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) is 77 years old today.

Ringo Starr was asked to join The Beatles after their drummer
Pete Best had a falling out with the band.

CAMILLE BOHANNON