I'm not typically someone who gets deeply involved in politics, but prior to the recent election, I wanted to be sure I was making an informed decision. So, I began listening to rallies from both sides and doing some research on past presidencies. What started as a quest for information gradually turned into something more fascinating. Before I knew it, I found myself writing this post about presidential assassinations and attempts.
The history of U.S. presidents has been marked not only by triumphs and challenges but also by tragic incidents that forever changed the course of the nation's leadership. Four sitting presidents have been assassinated, and many others have faced attempts on their lives. These events, whether successful or thwarted, highlight the risks and dangers that come with the office, as well as the significant impact these attacks have had on American politics and security.
Presidents Assassinated
Four U.S. presidents have been assassinated while in office. These tragic events deeply impacted the nation and its history, leaving lasting marks on U.S. politics and society.
Abraham Lincoln (16th president)
Assassinated on April 14, 1865, by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Lincoln died the following day, on April 15, 1865. He was shot while attending a play shortly after the end of the Civil War.
James A. Garfield (20th president)
Assassinated on July 2, 1881, by Charles J. Guiteau. Garfield was shot in Washington, D.C., and he died from his wounds on September 19, 1881, after suffering from prolonged infections.
William McKinley (25th president)
Assassinated on September 6, 1901, by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist, during a public event at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. McKinley died from his wounds on September 14, 1901.
John F. Kennedy (35th president)
Assassinated on November 22, 1963, by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a motorcade. Kennedy was shot and died shortly after the attack.
The Lincoln-Kennedy Connection
These nine similarities between Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy are factual and have been widely recognized. These coincidences are often highlighted due to their remarkable nature, especially since both presidents experienced significant tragedies during their time in office.
Both were elected to Congress in '46:
Lincoln was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1846.
Kennedy was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1946.
Both were elected president in '60:
Lincoln was elected president in 1860.
Kennedy was elected president in 1960.
Both were shot on a Friday:
Lincoln was shot on a Friday, April 14, 1865.
Kennedy was shot on a Friday, November 22, 1963.
Both were shot in the head:
Lincoln was shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth.
Kennedy was shot in the head by Lee Harvey Oswald.
Both were accompanied by their wives when shot:
Lincoln was with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, at Ford's Theatre.
Kennedy was with his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, in the motorcade in Dallas.
Both assassins were known by three names:
John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald are both referred to by three names.
Both assassins were killed before they went to trial:
Booth was killed shortly after he shot Lincoln.
Oswald was killed by Jack Ruby before he could stand trial.
Both presidents were succeeded by men named Johnson:
Lincoln was succeeded by Andrew Johnson.
Kennedy was succeeded by Lyndon B. Johnson.
Both Johnsons were born in '08:
Andrew Johnson was born in 1808.
Lyndon B. Johnson was born in 1908.
Whether these are just coincidences or something more meaningful is a matter of perspective, but there is no denying the patterns that exist between the two. "History repeats itself" is a common phrase that suggests events, patterns, or circumstances from the past often reoccur in the future. The similarities between Lincoln and Kennedy are intriguing, and while they are often considered coincidences, their exact significance can be up for interpretation.
Presidents Targeted in Assassination Attempts
In addition to the four U.S. presidents who were assassinated, several other sitting presidents have been the target of assassination attempts. These attempted assassinations, though unsuccessful, still had significant impacts on the nation's leaders and security policies. Some led to changes in the protection of sitting presidents and heightened public awareness about political violence.
Andrew Jackson (7th president)
Attempted assassination on January 30, 1835 by Richard Lawrence, who tried to shoot Jackson but both pistols misfired. Jackson then physically attacked Lawrence.
Theodore Roosevelt (26th president)
Attempted assassination on October 14, 1912, while he was campaigning for a third term. He was shot by John Schrank, but the bullet was slowed by a metal case and his glasses, and Roosevelt survived the attack.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (32nd president)
Attempted assassination on February 15, 1933 in Miami, Florida, by Giuseppe Zangara. Roosevelt was unharmed, but Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak, who was sitting next to him, was killed.
Harry S. Truman (33rd president)
Attempted assassination on November 1, 1950, by Griselio Torresola and Oscar Collazo, who tried to storm the Blair House, where Truman was staying. The president was unharmed, but a White House police officer was killed.
Gerald Ford (38th president)
Two attempted assassinations:
The first on September 5, 1975 by Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, a member of the Manson Family. She pointed a gun at Ford, but it didn't fire.
The second on September 22, 1975 by Sara Jane Moore, who fired at Ford but missed, and she was quickly apprehended.
Ronald Reagan (40th president)
Attempted assassination on March 30, 1981 by John Hinckley Jr., who shot Reagan outside a Washington, D.C., hotel. Reagan and his press secretary James Brady were seriously injured, but survived the attack. The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act was passed in 1993, which established a waiting period for handgun purchases and required background checks on gun buyers.
George W. Bush (43rd president)
Attempted assassination on May 10, 2005, while Bush was giving a speech in Freedom Square. Vladimir Arutyunian, a native Georgian, threw a live hand grenade toward the podium. Fortunately, the grenade did not explode, and President Bush and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili were unharmed.
Assassination Attempts During Campaigns
There have been assassination attempts on non-sitting presidents or during campaigns for the presidency. While these incidents are not all directly tied to sitting presidents at the time, they show that candidates and political figures have been targeted during campaigns and while seeking political office.
Theodore Roosevelt (1912)
Attempted assassination during his campaign for a third term as a candidate for the Progressive Party.
Date: October 14, 1912, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Details: Roosevelt was shot by John Schrank, who believed Roosevelt had caused the death of President William McKinley (whom Schrank idolized). The bullet was slowed by a thick speech manuscript and his glasses case, and although Roosevelt was wounded, he continued with his speech. The bullet was never removed, but he survived the attempt.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933)
Attempted assassination while he was campaigning for president.
Date: February 15, 1933, in Miami, Florida, before his inauguration.
Details: Roosevelt was the target of an assassination attempt by Giuseppe Zangara, who fired at Roosevelt from a distance while he was giving a speech from an open car. Roosevelt was unharmed, but several others were hit, including Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak, who later died from his wounds.
Robert F. Kennedy (1968)
Assassination attempt (successful) while campaigning for the Democratic nomination for president.
Date: June 5, 1968, in Los Angeles, California, after winning the California primary.
Details: Robert F Kennedy was shot by Sirhan Sirhan shortly after delivering his victory speech in the Ambassador Hotel. Kennedy died from his injuries a day later.
George Wallace (1972)
Attempted assassination while campaigning for the Democratic nomination for president.
Date: May 15, 1972, in Lauderdale, Alabama.
Details: Wallace, the governor of Alabama, was shot and paralyzed from the waist down by Arthur Bremer, who was later convicted for the crime. Wallace was campaigning for the Democratic nomination and was a front-runner at the time.
Donald J. Trump (2016)
Attempted assassination while campaigning for the 2016 presidential election.
Date: November 5, 2016, in Nevada.
Details: During a campaign rally in Nevada, a man in the crowd, Michael Steven Sandford, attempted to grab a police officer's gun in an effort to shoot Trump. Sandford was quickly apprehended, and no one was injured. He later admitted to the crime in court, stating that he had planned to kill Trump, believing that the candidate's rhetoric was dangerous. Sandford was sentenced to time in prison for the attempt.
Donald J. Trump (2024)
Two assassination attempts campaigning for the 2024 presidential election.
Date: July 13, 2024 – Butler, Pennsylvania Rally
Details: An attempted assassination took place during an open-air rally when Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire using an AR-15-style rifle. Trump was injured in his right ear, while one attendee was killed and two others were critically wounded. Secret Service agents neutralized Crooks on the spot. Despite the injury, Trump remained alert, raising his fist in defiance, which gained attention on social media and became a slogan, "Fight, Fight, Fight." He received treatment for the ear wound and resumed public appearances shortly afterward, even attending the Republican National Convention with a bandage on his ear.
Date: September 16, 2024 – Florida Golf Course
Details: A possible assassination attempt occurred while Trump was golfing in Florida. Several loud popping sounds were heard, prompting Secret Service agents to rush to Trump's side for protection. Ryan Routh, 58, was detained by authorities. Although Routh had previously supported Trump, reports indicate he had recently shown support for President Biden and Vice President Harris. Investigators, led by the FBI, are currently looking into his motives.
In Conclusion
While the assassination of a sitting president is a rare and deeply unsettling event, assassination attempts—both failed and successful—serve as stark reminders of the vulnerabilities faced by those in power. Over time, these events have reshaped the way we think about security, politics, and the very essence of leadership. From the tragic loss of a leader like John F. Kennedy to the remarkable survival of Theodore Roosevelt, these moments in history remind us that the road to leadership is often paved with both hope and peril.
Researching past presidents has been interesting and even triggered some faint memories. I was too young to remember the day JFK died, but I clearly remember hearing adults talk about the assassination of Bobby Kennedy and the attempts on the lives of George Wallace and Gerald Ford. At the time, I didn’t grasp the significance, but as an adult, I understand they were important moments in history.
When President Reagan was shot, I was nineteen years old, and it ignited a sense of patriotism in me that I hadn't fully realized before. It was a turning point where I understood not just the pride of being American, but the responsibility to always express that pride and commitment. Voting is one of the most important ways I fulfill that responsibility—it's not just a right, but a civic duty I take seriously to ensure I am doing my part in shaping the future of my country.
During the research of these presidential assassinations and attempts, I found myself uncovering even more interesting stories that I hope to write about in the future. From legislative changes like the Brady Act, to a unique four-term presidency and the eventual two-term limit, as well as the many family connections between past presidents, it’s clear there’s so much more to explore. I know I can easily get distracted when I start looking something up, but this time it was definitely worth it. It turned into one of those unexpected rabbit holes, but I’m really glad I went down it.
God bless and keep America safe, especially President Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. As they are entrusted with leading our nation to Make America Great Again, may their efforts also bring peace and safety to the world.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."
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