There have been four United States Presidents assassinated while in office. These tragic events, spanning from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, typically involve deranged or disgruntled individuals acting alone, though the motivations and political landscapes surrounding each killing were unique. These assassinations have left an indelible mark on American history, often acting as catalysts for societal change or periods of national mourning and reflection.
Abraham Lincoln’s assassination on 15th April 1865, just days after the end of the American Civil War, was a devastating blow to a nation already reeling from years of brutal conflict. His death plunged the country into a deeper state of grief and uncertainty, robbing it of the leader who had, against all odds, preserved the Union.
The Plot and the Perpetrators
The assassination was part of a broader conspiracy orchestrated by John Wilkes Booth, a well-known stage actor and fervent Confederate sympathiser. Booth, enraged by the South’s defeat and Lincoln’s policies, initially planned to kidnap the President but escalated his plot to assassination after Lincoln announced his support for Black suffrage.
- John Wilkes Booth: Booth was the mastermind behind the plot and the actual assassin of President Lincoln. He was a celebrated actor from a prominent theatrical family, but his political views were extreme. He firmly believed in the institution of slavery and viewed Lincoln as a tyrant who had destroyed the South. His fanaticism drove him to commit the audacious act.
- George Atzerodt: Atzerodt was tasked with assassinating Vice President Andrew Johnson. He lost his nerve and failed to carry out his part of the plan. He was later apprehended and hanged for his involvement in the conspiracy.
- Lewis Powell (alias Lewis Payne): Powell was assigned to kill Secretary of State William H. Seward. He brutally attacked Seward in his home, severely wounding him but failing to kill him. Powell was also captured and executed.
- Mary Surratt: Surratt ran a boarding house in Washington D.C. where the conspirators frequently met. She was convicted of aiding and abetting the plotters and became the first woman executed by the federal government. Her guilt remains a subject of debate among historians.
- David Herold: Herold assisted Booth in his escape from Washington D.C. after the assassination. He was apprehended alongside Booth and later hanged.
Ford’s Theatre and the Fatal Shot
On the evening of 14th April 1865, Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, attended a performance of the play “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. Booth, intimately familiar with the theatre’s layout due to his acting career, gained access to the President’s box. At around 10:15 pm, he shot Lincoln in the back of the head with a derringer pistol.
The shot proved fatal. Lincoln was carried to a house across the street, where he died the following morning. Booth, after shouting “Sic semper tyrannis!” (Thus always to tyrants!), leapt onto the stage, breaking his leg in the process. Despite his injury, he managed to escape the theatre.
The Aftermath and Legacy
Booth’s escape triggered a massive manhunt. He was tracked down to a barn in rural Virginia twelve days later, where he was cornered and fatally shot by Federal troops. Several other conspirators were apprehended, tried by a military commission, and subsequently hanged.
Lincoln’s assassination generated immense national sorrow and outrage. It not only robbed the nation of a revered leader but also complicated the already delicate process of Reconstruction. His death cemented his place as a martyr for the Union and a symbol of American resilience.
A Brief Presidency Cut Short: James A. Garfield
James A. Garfield’s presidency was tragically cut short just four months into his term, making his the second assassination of a US President while in office. His death in 1881 highlighted the significant issues surrounding the spoils system and medical practices of the era.
The Assassin and His Motives
Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker. Guiteau, a mentally unstable lawyer and unsuccessful preacher, had campaigned for Garfield and believed he was owed a diplomatic post, possibly as ambassador to France. When his incessant demands were repeatedly rejected, he became convinced that God wanted him to remove Garfield from office to “save” the Republican Party.
- Charles J. Guiteau: Guiteau was a deeply deluded and narcissistic individual. He saw himself as instrumental in Garfield’s election and genuinely believed he deserved a high-level presidential appointment. His sense of entitlement and mental instability culminated in the assassination. He later claimed insanity as a defence, but the jury rejected it.
The Shooting at the Railway Station
On 2nd July 1881, President Garfield was preparing to depart from the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington D.C. for a summer holiday. As he walked through the station’s waiting room, Guiteau emerged from the crowd and shot him twice.
One bullet grazed Garfield’s shoulder, but the second lodged behind his pancreas and could not be found. Guiteau was immediately apprehended, reportedly exclaiming, “I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts! Arthur is President now!” This statement referred to the “Stalwart” faction of the Republican Party whom Guiteau believed he was helping by eliminating Garfield, a “Half-Breed.”
A Lingering Death and Medical Misfortune
While Garfield’s wound was not immediately fatal, the subsequent medical care contributed significantly to his demise. Doctors of the era, operating without an understanding of germ theory, repeatedly probed the wound with unsterilised instruments, introducing infection. Famously, Alexander Graham Bell even attempted to locate the bullet with an early version of a metal detector, but the bed’s metal springs interfered with the device.
Garfield suffered for 79 days, with the infection spreading and his condition deteriorating. He ultimately died on 19th September 1881, from complications arising from blood poisoning and a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm.
Impact on Political Reform
Garfield’s assassination, and the clearly misguided motives of his killer, directly led to significant civil service reform. The public was outraged that a President could be killed by someone seeking a minor political appointment.
- Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act (1883): This landmark act, signed into law by Garfield’s successor, Chester A. Arthur, established the principle of federal employment based on merit rather than patronage. It created the Civil Service Commission, which began to administer competitive examinations for government jobs, significantly curtailing the corrupting influence of the spoils system. This reform was a direct and lasting consequence of Garfield’s untimely death.
The Anarchist’s Bullet: William McKinley
William McKinley’s assassination in 1901 was the third presidential killing in just 36 years, highlighting a disturbing pattern of violence directed at the nation’s highest office. His death brought about another period of national mourning and saw the surprising ascent of Theodore Roosevelt to the presidency.
The Assassin and His Ideology
McKinley was shot by Leon Czolgosz, a Polish-American anarchist. Czolgosz was deeply influenced by anarchist ideologies circulating at the time, which often advocated for the violent overthrow of government and capitalism. He saw McKinley as a symbol of oppression and believed that by eliminating him, he was striking a blow for the working class.
- Leon Czolgosz: Czolgosz was a disillusioned factory worker who became radicalised by anarchist literature and speeches, particularly those of Emma Goldman. He developed a strong personal conviction that political inequality and economic exploitation could only be resolved through violence against leaders. He deliberately planned the assassination, believing it was his duty to act.
The Pan-American Exposition Shooting
On 6th September 1901, President McKinley was attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He was greeting the public at the Temple of Music when Czolgosz approached him. Czolgosz had his right hand seemingly bandaged, but beneath the bandage, he concealed a .32 calibre revolver.
As McKinley extended his hand to Czolgosz, the assassin fired two shots at close range. One bullet grazed McKinley’s sternum, but the second entered his abdomen, lodging behind his stomach. Czolgosz was immediately tackled by bystanders and security personnel.
A Lingering Struggle and Fatal Complications
Initially, it was believed that McKinley would recover. Surgeons quickly operated, but the bullet could not be safely removed from his abdomen. Unfortunately, as with Garfield, medical knowledge of infection control was still evolving. While surgeons made efforts at sterilisation, the full implications of bacterial infection were not yet understood, and the procedures were likely not as aseptic as they would be today.
The President’s condition appeared to improve for several days, leading to a sense of optimism across the nation. However, his health took a sharp turn for the worse on 13th September. Gangrene set in around the wound, and he succumbed to his injuries on 14th September 1901, just eight days after being shot.
The Immediate Aftermath and Public Reaction
Czolgosz was quickly tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. He expressed no remorse and was executed by electric chair just 45 days after McKinley’s death. The assassination sparked widespread public outrage against anarchism.
- Theodore Roosevelt’s Ascent: McKinley’s death elevated his Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt, to the presidency. At 42 years old, Roosevelt became the youngest person ever to assume the presidency. His dynamic and progressive leadership, which profoundly reshaped American politics, began dramatically with the tragedy of McKinley’s assassination. The public saw a changing of the guard, ushering in a new era of reform and activism.
The Nation’s Grief: John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy’s assassination on 22nd November 1963, remains one of the most shocking and impactful events in American history. It plunged the nation into a deep state of grief and disbelief, leaving an enduring legacy of conspiracy theories and a profound shift in the American psyche.
The Event in Dallas
President Kennedy, accompanied by his wife Jacqueline, Governor John Connally of Texas, and Connally’s wife Nellie, was riding in an open-top limousine through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. The motorcade was moving slowly, allowing the immense crowd to greet the popular young President.
At approximately 12:30 pm local time, shots rang out. Kennedy was struck twice: once in the back and once in the head. Governor Connally was also seriously wounded. The limousine sped off to Parkland Memorial Hospital, but Kennedy’s injuries were catastrophic. He was pronounced dead at 1:00 pm.
The Official Suspect: Lee Harvey Oswald
Within hours of the assassination, authorities arrested Lee Harvey Oswald, a former Marine and self-proclaimed Marxist who had previously defected to the Soviet Union. Oswald was apprehended in a movie theatre after he had killed Dallas police officer J.D. Tippit.
- Lee Harvey Oswald: Oswald was known for his erratic behaviour, communist sympathies, and a history of defection and a return to the US. He worked at the Texas School Book Depository, the building from which the shots were reportedly fired. His history and immediate vicinity to the crime scene made him the prime suspect.
- The Rifle: A Mannlicher-Carcano rifle was found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, connected to Oswald. Ballistic evidence later linked this rifle to the bullets that struck Kennedy and Connally.
- The Assassination of Officer Tippit: Shortly after the Kennedy assassination, Oswald shot and killed Dallas police officer J.D. Tippit, who had stopped him for questioning in a residential area. This act further solidified Oswald’s culpability in the official narrative.
The Warren Commission Report
To investigate the assassination, President Lyndon B. Johnson established the Warren Commission, chaired by Chief Justice Earl Warren. After a ten-month investigation, the Commission concluded in September 1964 that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassinating President Kennedy and that Jack Ruby, who subsequently killed Oswald, also acted alone.
- The Single Bullet Theory: A crucial piece of evidence in the Warren Commission’s findings was the “single bullet theory.” This theory posits that one bullet, often referred to as the “magic bullet,” struck President Kennedy in the back, exited his throat, and then entered Governor Connally’s back, passed through his chest, fractured his wrist, and lodged in his thigh. This theory was necessary to explain how Oswald, firing three shots from a single rifle in a short timeframe, could have inflicted all the non-fatal wounds on both men, while also hitting Kennedy in the head with another shot.
- Controversy and Skepticism: From its inception, the Warren Commission’s findings faced significant public skepticism and gave rise to numerous conspiracy theories that persist to this day. Many questioned Oswald’s capacity to execute such an accurate series of shots, the swiftness of his arrest and subsequent death, and the involvement of other actors, including the Mafia, the CIA, or even Vice President Johnson.
The Assassination of Oswald by Jack Ruby
Just two days after Kennedy’s assassination, on 24th November 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald was being transferred from Dallas Police Headquarters to the county jail. As he was being escorted through the basement, Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner, stepped forward and shot Oswald at point-blank range.
Ruby claimed he was distraught over Kennedy’s death and wanted to spare Jacqueline Kennedy the ordeal of a trial. However, his actions only fueled further speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination. Ruby was convicted of murder but died in prison while appealing his conviction.
Lingering Questions and Enduring Legacy
Kennedy’s assassination continues to be a subject of intense public fascination and debate. Despite numerous official investigations, including the House Select Committee on Assassinations in the 1970s, which concluded there was a “high probability” of a conspiracy but could not identify the conspirators, the ‘truth’ remains contested for many.
The assassination left a profound scar on the American psyche, marking the end of an era of optimism and ushering in a period of doubt and mistrust in government. It became a defining moment for a generation, irrevocably changing the course of American history.
Attempts and Near Misses
| President | Assassination Date |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln | April 14, 1865 |
| James A. Garfield | July 2, 1881 |
| William McKinley | September 6, 1901 |
| John F. Kennedy | November 22, 1963 |
While four presidents endured fatal assassinations, many more have faced assassination attempts, some coming perilously close to success. These incidents underscore the constant danger faced by leaders of free nations.
Andrew Jackson (1835)
The first recorded assassination attempt on a US President occurred in 1835, targeting Andrew Jackson. Richard Lawrence, an unemployed house painter, fired two pistols at Jackson outside the Capitol building. Miraculously, both pistols misfired. Jackson, known for his fiery temper, reportedly charged at Lawrence with his cane. Lawrence was later found to be mentally ill and committed to an asylum.
Theodore Roosevelt (1912)
In 1912, while campaigning for president as the Progressive “Bull Moose” Party candidate, Theodore Roosevelt was shot by John Schrank in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The bullet was slowed by Roosevelt’s thick speech manuscript and eyeglass case in his jacket pocket, preventing it from piercing his lung. Remarkably, Roosevelt, still bleeding, insisted on delivering his scheduled 90-minute speech before seeking medical attention. He famously declared, “It takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose!”
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933)
Shortly before his inauguration in 1933, President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt survived an assassination attempt in Miami, Florida. Giuseppe Zangara, an unemployed bricklayer, fired multiple shots at Roosevelt’s motorcade. Roosevelt was unharmed, but Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak, who was sitting next to him, was fatally wounded. Zangara, claiming to hate all rulers, was quickly apprehended, tried, and executed.
Harry S. Truman (1950)
In 1950, two Puerto Rican nationalists, Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola, attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman at Blair House, his temporary residence while the White House was being renovated. In a fierce gun battle with Secret Service agents, Torresola was killed, and Collazo was wounded and captured. One Secret Service agent also died in the exchange. Truman was unharmed, thanks to the quick action of his security detail.
Gerald Ford (1975)
Remarkably, Gerald Ford faced two separate assassination attempts within three weeks of each other in 1975.
- Squeaky Fromme: On 5th September, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a follower of Charles Manson, pointed a .45 calibre pistol at Ford in Sacramento, California. The gun did not fire because there was no round in the chamber. She was quickly apprehended.
- Sara Jane Moore: On 22nd September, Sara Jane Moore, a radical activist, fired a shot at Ford in San Francisco. A bystander, Oliver Sipple, famously grabbed her arm, deflecting the shot and potentially saving the President’s life. Both Fromme and Moore were convicted and served lengthy prison sentences.
Ronald Reagan (1981)
On 30th March 1981, President Ronald Reagan was leaving the Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C. after giving a speech when John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at him. Reagan was seriously wounded, sustaining a collapsed lung and severe internal bleeding, but miraculously survived. Press Secretary James Brady was also gravely injured, becoming permanently disabled, and two other individuals were wounded. Hinckley, who was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster, was later found not guilty by reason of insanity. The attempt led to stricter gun control discussions and significantly increased protection for presidents.
