I discovered that Robert Todd Lincoln was there for each of the first three assassinations. I wanted to write about the Lincoln Memorial, so when I found out he had attended its dedication, that helped focus it further.

Quote by Sarah Vowell

Topics: Sarah Vowell Quotes

Part of the success of This American Life, I think, is due to the fact...

Part of the success of This American Life, I think, is due to the fact...

While I gave up God a long time ago, I never shook the habit of...

While I gave up God a long time ago, I never shook the habit of...

The one time I was an actor, it happened to be in a globally dominant...

The one time I was an actor, it happened to be in a globally dominant...

I get younger people who watch Conan or The Daily Show, but before that it...

I get younger people who watch Conan or The Daily Show, but before that it...

Like Lincoln, I would like to believe the ballot is stronger than the bullet. Then...

Like Lincoln, I would like to believe the ballot is stronger than the bullet. Then...

History is full of really good stories. That's the main reason I got into this...

History is full of really good stories. That's the main reason I got into this...

What are you hiding? No one ever asks that.

What are you hiding? No one ever asks that.

One night last summer, all the killers in my head assembled on a stage in...

One night last summer, all the killers in my head assembled on a stage in...

Assassins and presidents invite the same basic question: Just who do you think you are?

Assassins and presidents invite the same basic question: Just who do you think you are?

My audience is going to die before I do.

My audience is going to die before I do.

The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Civil War-when I really think about them they...

The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Civil War-when I really think about them they...

I loved that these two guys argued with each other as if movies actually mattered....

I loved that these two guys argued with each other as if movies actually mattered....

I hated the lost colony; in second grade, we were doing American History, and they...

I hated the lost colony; in second grade, we were doing American History, and they...

Most people don't like to talk about violent historical death.

Most people don't like to talk about violent historical death.

In death, you get upgraded into a saint no matter how much people hated you...

In death, you get upgraded into a saint no matter how much people hated you...

Not that I want the current president killed. I will, for the record and for...

Not that I want the current president killed. I will, for the record and for...

I didn't come from any kind of academic background, but I lived in a college...

I didn't come from any kind of academic background, but I lived in a college...

I was a big Nancy Drew reader. Nancy figures it out. Case closed.

I was a big Nancy Drew reader. Nancy figures it out. Case closed.

Jesus and Lincoln, Moses and Jefferson can seem so long gone, so unbelievable, so dead.

Jesus and Lincoln, Moses and Jefferson can seem so long gone, so unbelievable, so dead.

Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves, Robert Lincoln bought a nice ski lodge.

Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves, Robert Lincoln bought a nice ski lodge.