From Palms to Passion

It’s an emotional roller coaster, just like the first Holy Week in Jerusalem.

The citizens of the nation’s capital moved from triumph to tragedy 160 years ago. On April 4, 1865, the Civil War was ending, and news of the fall of Richmond was spreading through Washington, D.C. Public buildings throughout the city were illuminated in celebration.

“It was indeed glorious,” said Benjamin Brown French, the commissioner of public buildings. “All Washington was in the streets.” French went to his Bible and turned to Psalm 118. He had the 23^rd verse printed on a cloth, in enormous letters, and then raised it on the Capitol building: “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”

Celebrations continued through April 9, Palm Sunday, when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Va. In Washington, guns were fired in salute, to commemorate the day. The euphoria of the Union victory was felt throughout the Holy Week that followed, with crowds taking to the streets.

But tragedy struck on April...