Stealing Lincoln's Body

I watched "Stealing Lincoln's Body" on the History Channel Monday night and highly recommend it. History Channel will air it again February 20th at 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. and again on February 21 at 4:00 p.m. (central time zone)

Here's a short synopsis: Chicago counterfeiters plot to steal Lincoln's body and hold it for ransom; after the president is assassinated in 1865, his body is moved many times until finally being laid to rest in 1901; embalming becomes popular with the death of Lincoln.

The two hour film is supplemented with digitally restored photographs and "virtual cinematography." Lincoln appears in motion-picture clips that were digitally created from historical photographs.

With all the counterfeiting going on, Lincoln established the secret service to combat the problem. The secret service is still involved in preventing and catching counterfeiters today, but most of us think of them as protecting our president. Unfortunately back then the agency had no such role in protecting the president.

I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but will say Lincoln's body was moved ten times before placed in his final resting place.