Assassination Attempts on US Presidents and Candidates: A Historical Overview

Monday 15 July 2024 - 09:45

The history of the United States is punctuated by numerous attempts on the lives of its presidents and those aspiring to the highest office in the land. From successful assassinations to narrow escapes, these incidents have left an indelible mark on American history.

Andrew Jackson and the First Attempt

Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, faced the nation's first recorded assassination attempt on January 30, 1835. Leaving the Capitol in Washington DC, Jackson was targeted by Richard Lawrence, who fired two pistols at him, both of which misfired. Jackson's response was swift, confronting Lawrence with his cane, leading to Lawrence's apprehension.

Abraham Lincoln's Tragic End

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, tragically fell victim to assassination on April 14, 1865, while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington DC. John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, shot Lincoln in the head, leading to his death the following day. Booth's act was a response to Lincoln's support for civil rights and the Union cause during the Civil War.

James Garfield and the Train Station Shooting

James Garfield, the 20th president, was shot on July 2, 1881, by Charles Guiteau, a disillusioned office seeker, at a Washington DC train station. Guiteau's bullets, one of which struck Garfield's back, led to an infection that claimed the president's life months later, despite efforts by Alexander Graham Bell to locate the bullet.

William McKinley's Public Assassination

William McKinley, the 25th president, was fatally shot on September 6, 1901, during a public event in Buffalo, New York. Leon F Czolgosz, an anarchist, fired two shots at close range, mortally wounding McKinley. Despite hopes for recovery, McKinley succumbed to infection, and Czolgosz was swiftly executed.

Theodore Roosevelt's Brush with Death

Theodore Roosevelt, campaigning for a third term, narrowly survived an assassination attempt on October 14, 1912, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Shot by John Schrank, the bullet was slowed by Roosevelt's speech notes and metal case in his pocket. Roosevelt's resilience allowed him to finish his speech before seeking medical attention.

Franklin D Roosevelt's Near Miss

Franklin D Roosevelt, president-elect in 1933, narrowly avoided assassination on February 15, when Giuseppe Zangara, an Italian immigrant, fired at him in Miami, Florida. While Roosevelt escaped unharmed, Zangara's shots hit bystanders, fatally wounding one. Zangara was swiftly sentenced to death.

Harry S Truman's Blair House Incident

Harry S Truman, the 33rd president, survived an assassination attempt on November 1, 1950, when Puerto Rican nationalists attacked Blair House in Washington DC, where he was staying. Truman and his wife escaped unharmed, but a Secret Service agent and one assailant lost their lives in the gunfight.

John F Kennedy's Tragic Assassination

John F Kennedy, the 35th president, was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, during a motorcade. Lee Harvey Oswald's shots ended Kennedy's life, sparking national grief and conspiracy theories that persist to this day.

Robert F Kennedy's Campaign Tragedy

Robert F Kennedy, seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, was assassinated on June 5, 1968, in Los Angeles, California. Shot after a victory speech, Kennedy died the next day. His assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, was imprisoned after initially receiving a death sentence.

George C Wallace's Shooting and Political Shift

George C Wallace, vying for the Democratic nomination, was shot on May 15, 1972, in Maryland, leaving him paralyzed. Wallace, who had previously supported segregation, later renounced these views. His assailant, Arthur Bremer, served time in prison and was released decades later.

Gerald Ford's Double Brush with Death

Gerald Ford, the 38th president, survived two assassination attempts in September 1975. Both Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme and Sara Jane Moore separately attempted to shoot Ford within weeks of each other. Both attempts failed, and the assailants were apprehended and imprisoned.

Ronald Reagan's Near Miss

Ronald Reagan, the 40th president, was shot on March 30, 1981, outside a Washington hotel by John Hinckley Jr. Reagan, though wounded, recovered after surgery, displaying remarkable resilience by joking with medical staff during his hospitalization. Hinckley's subsequent confinement was due to a verdict of insanity.

George W Bush's Close Call in Georgia

George W Bush, the 43rd president, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on May 10, 2005, during a rally in Tbilisi, Georgia. A grenade thrown at Bush failed to detonate, and the perpetrator, Vladimir Arutyunian, was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison.