2. William McKinley, 25th President of the USA
William McKinley enjoyed public rallies. After he was elected President for the second tenure he decided to undertake a six-week tour of the nation. Recently anarchists in Europe had been assassinated. Hence his security had been beefed up. A man named Leon Czolgosz was a fan of Emma Goldman (an anarchist who played a crucial role in developing anarchist political philosophy in Europe and America. Inspired by her view, Leon decided to assassinate President McKinley.
Leon tried to attack the President a number of times but failed on all attempts. But eventually he got lucky on 6 September 1901.
On that day William McKinley spent the morning visiting Niagara Falls with his wife Ida before returning to the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York in the afternoon to spend a few minutes greeting the public.
By about 3:30 p.m., President McKinley stood inside the Temple of Music building at the Exposition ready to greet people. His fans had been waiting to catch glimpse of the President for hours and wanted to shake hands with him. Leon Czolgosz stood amongst the crowd. When he neared McKinley he shot at him twice in the stomach.
The President was rushed to the hospital. Bullets were removed from his stomach but his condition remained critical. After a couple of days, his wounds were infected. Doctors were oblivious of the gangrene which eventually took the President's life on 14th September.
Vice President Theodore Roosevelt was immediately sworn in as president.
President William McKinley was born on 29 January 1843. He was also loved by his people. McKinley's death brought about economic instability in the US.
