In a message to the people three weeks before, President James Buchanan had designated Friday, January 4, 1861 as a day to be "set apart for fasting, humiliation, and prayer throughout the nation." This event took place on the assigned day and was widely observed. In Philadelphia, for example, special services were held in the leading churches while public buildings were closed, along with many places of business. (By John Osborne)
Source Citation
"Documents," in Frank Moore, The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events, with Documents, Narratives, Illustrative Incidents, Poetry, Etc. (New York: G.P.Putnam, 1861), I: 17.
Thomas Scharf and Thompson Wescott, History of Philadelphia 1609-1884, in three volumes (Philadelphia, PA: L.H. Everts & Co., 1884), 1: 743.
Record Data
Date Certainty
Exact
Type
Education/Culture
