Lincoln’s Lie: A True Civil War Caper Through Fake News, Wall Street, and the White House
Press Release · Thursday, October 29, 2020

Washington, DC

On Wednesday, November 4, at 3 p.m. (ET), Elizabeth Mitchell will give a virtual book talk on Lincoln’s Lie: A True Civil War Caper Through Fake News. Wall Street, and the White House. Register to attend. Watch the program livestreamed on the National Archives YouTube channel.

Lincoln’s Lie: A True Civil War Caper Through Fake News. Wall Street, and the White House
November 4, at 3 p.m. (ET)
In 1864, during the bloodiest days of the Civil War, two newspapers published a call, allegedly from President Lincoln, for the immediate conscription of 400,000 more Union soldiers. New York streets erupted in pandemonium, and Wall Street markets went wild. When Lincoln sent troops to seize the newspaper presses and arrest the editors, it became clear: The proclamation was a lie. Who put out this fake news? In Lincoln’s Lie, Elizabeth Mitchell brings to life the remarkable story of the manipulators of the news and why they decided to play such a dangerous game during a critical period of American history.

National Archives Museum
The Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, is open for viewing the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights with limited capacity from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Reserve timed entry tickets (use Internet Explorer for best results). All other exhibits are closed at this time. Read details of the reopening in the National Archives news release. More information, including the operating status of facilities around the country, is available on the agency's Coronavirus resource page.