The previous week, newly sworn-in President Andrew Johnson had proclaimed Thursday, May 25, 1865 as a day of public mourning for the loss of President Abraham Lincoln. When several Christian leaders pointed out to the government that the original day chosen clashed with commemorations of the ascension of Jesus into heaven, Johnson issued a new proclamation designating June 1, 1865 as the day set aside for "special humiliation and prayer in consequence of the assassination...". (By John Osborne)