Today’s Presidents Day newsletter examines the cursed survivors of the Lincoln assassination, the unlikely friendship of a maestro and a president, Theodore Roosevelt’s monumental (and mixed) legacy ... and how this day came to be. Plus, Lincoln lookalikes, 'faerie smut’, and a Renaissance find.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 

For the young couple sitting in the theater box with the Lincolns, that assassination was just the beginning of a tragedy that would unspool for the rest of their lives. What happened to them? 

Related: What is Lincoln’s legacy?

PHOTOGRAPH BY KEYSTONE, GETTY

PHOTOGRAPH BY GRETA PRATT 

Why pose as Abe Lincoln? Writer-photographer Greta Pratt got varied responses while interviewing Lincoln re-enactors. Which was NOT a reason? 

A. I like the attention
B. Admire his character
C. Like teaching civics to students
D. Love his faith, discipline, and moral values
E. It’s a job

Today’s Soundtrack: Please Mr. Kennedy, Justin Timberlake, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver (from Inside Llewyn Davis)

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter, edited and curated by David Beard and produced by Alisher Egamov. Catch our latest Photo of the Week—and sign up here to get our future adventures in your inbox.