President Johnson sets May 25th as a day of "special humiliation and prayer" for Abraham Lincoln

Newly sworn-in President Andrew Johnson appointed by proclamation the coming Thursday, May 25, 1865 as a day of public mourning for the loss of President Abraham Lincoln.  Five days later, a new proclamation was issued changing the date to June 1, 1865, since several Christian leaders had pointed out to the government that the original day chosen clashed with commemorations of the ascension of Jesus into heaven. (By John Osborne)