There has been a considerable amount of conspiracy theories and debate surrounding my death. I believe the time has come to finally set the record straight.

Clara Harris, Henry Rathbone, my lovely wife Mary Todd Lincoln and I attended the play "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. Unfortunately, Presidential security wasn't at the level it is today and one of the actors from the play, John Wilkes Booth, entered my private State Box undetected and shot me in the back of the head. Booth then broke his leg jumping out of my State Box and yelled "Sic Semper Tyrannus" (As always to tyrants). I was taken across the street to Petersen House where I died the next day at 7:22am.

Of course I wasn't the only target. Co-conspirator Lewis Powell attempted to assassinate Secretary of State William Seward, but thankfully was unsuccessful. Another man by the name of David Herold accompanied Powell, but fled before the deed was finished.

Much to my dismay, Booth and Herold escaped the scene but were found hiding out in a barn in Port Royal Virginia on April 26. Herold surrendered, but Booth refused. The barn was then set on fire. In the ensuing chaos, Booth ran out of the barn and was shot and killed by a soldier.

I hope that these facts, straight from the mouth of Abe Lincoln, put an end to the rampant conspiracy theories and debate concerning my death so I can once again focus on running for President of the United States.