Throughout American history, several presidents and presidential candidates have faced assassination attempts. These tragic events have left an indelible mark on the nation's political landscape, underscoring the dangers those in the highest offices face. Here is a historical overview of some significant shootings of U.S. presidents and candidates.
Abraham Lincoln (1865)
The first successful assassination of a U.S. president occurred on April 14, 1865. President Abraham Lincoln was attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., when John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, shot him in the back of the head. Lincoln died the following day, making him the first U.S. president to be assassinated.
James A. Garfield (1881)
On July 2, 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker, at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. Garfield survived the initial attack but succumbed to infections caused by his wounds on September 19, 1881.
William McKinley (1901)
President William McKinley was shot twice by anarchist Leon Czolgosz on September 6, 1901, while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Despite initial hopes for his recovery, McKinley developed gangrene from his wounds and died on September 14, 1901.
Theodore Roosevelt (1912)
Former President Theodore Roosevelt, running for a third term as a Progressive Party candidate, survived an assassination attempt on October 14, 1912. John Flammang Schrank shot Roosevelt in the chest before a campaign speech in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Remarkably, Roosevelt continued with his speech, and the bullet, slowed by a folded speech and eyeglass case in his pocket, did not cause life-threatening injuries.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933)
On February 15, 1933, President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Miami, Florida. An unemployed bricklayer, Giuseppe Zangara fired several shots at Roosevelt but missed. However, Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak was hit and later died from his wounds.
Harry S. Truman (1950)
President Harry S. Truman survived an assassination attempt on November 1, 1950. Puerto Rican nationalists Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola attempted to storm Blair House, where Truman was staying during White House renovations. The attack was thwarted by Secret Service agents and police, resulting in the death of Torresola and the capture of Collazo.
John F. Kennedy (1963)
One of the most infamous assassinations in American history occurred on November 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed by Lee Harvey Oswald while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Kennedy's death shocked the nation and led to numerous conspiracy theories and investigations.
Robert F. Kennedy (1968)
On June 5, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, a Democratic presidential candidate, was shot by Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Kennedy died the following day. His assassination came just five years after his brother John F. Kennedy's tragic death.
Gerald Ford (1975)
President Gerald Ford faced two assassination attempts within a month. On September 5, 1975, Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, a follower of Charles Manson, aimed a gun at Ford in Sacramento, California, but was apprehended before she could fire. Seventeen days later, Sara Jane Moore attempted to shoot Ford in San Francisco, but a bystander thwarted her attempt.
Ronald Reagan (1981)
On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot and seriously wounded by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Hinckley was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster and believed the assassination would impress her. Reagan survived the attack after undergoing emergency surgery.
Donald Trump (2024)
On July 13, 2024, Former US President and upcoming presidential candidate Donald Trump was shot during a speech at a rally. He was shot in the ear in this incident. Investigators are treating this incident as attempted murder.
Conclusion
The history of shootings of U.S. presidents and candidates is a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in public service. These events have shaped the nation's history, leading to increased security measures and a deeper understanding of the vulnerabilities faced by political leaders. The courage and resilience of those who have survived such attacks continue to inspire and remind us of the ongoing struggle to protect the pillars of American democracy.
