The presidential debate season is on for the United States. And there has been more controversy than anyone can imagine especially with candidate Donald Trump and his assassination attempt. There was an attempt on his life in Pennsylvania this past summer.
The question of American and highly public assassinations then has to be investigated. But, what about other American public and visible murders?
Presidential candidates can be targets for assassination or celebrities or influencers in society. In essence, Candidates have to face their opponents in front of big crowds and this causes issues and more danger.
The aspect of the many high level American assassinations will surprise you. Mostly just how many American presidents have faced danger in the line of public duty. From the founding of the USA to only this past summer the USA is filled with assassination attempts and threats.
Learn more about these important US assassination attempts and facts below!
1. The Assassination of President John F Kennedy is the biggest in American history
American history is filled with events, especially events that are world defining. But, the successful assassination of John F. Kennedy is the most vital and tragic.
This popular and hugely adored president was shot and killed early in his presidency.
The murder of the 35th president of the United States of America dramatically changed the world in ways, which sent shock waves for the USA and society. The assassination was such a big cultural point that many for ages had asked, “Where were you when you heard about JFK?”JFK was the nickname and abbreviation of president John F Kennedy.
John F. Kennedy was introduced as president as a new change and force of good when he was elected. For example, JFK was the first Catholic President. Also, JFK was the youngest President ever to be elected in American history. The image and change he pushed through before his death was of youth, success and political power and will.
Ultimately, John Kennedy was killed in a presidential motorcade in Dallas, Texas in late 1963. The killer or assassin named Lee Harvey Oswald. The assassin was later murdered, which then caused a lot of conspiracies and theories about the assassination of JFK and more.
2. The early and eventual assassination that changed the US Constitution
The actual attempt first happened to president, James Garfield, who was then the 20th president of the United States. This president was shot at the train Station in the capital, Washington, D.C. The shooting was on July 2, 1881, however he did not die immediately. Garfield died eventually in New Jersey, around two and a half months later on September 19, 1881.
What made this unique was that the shooting happened about four months into Garfield’s term as president. The legacy of this assassination was quite impactful. Also, Garfield’s Assassination created a big change in how the Constitution would potentially have to deal with presidential succession in situations like death. Also, this assassination caused reforms in the civil service of how it would affect federal positions. Moreover, Garfield’s death had a big effect in stabilizing and unifying the special relationship between the United States and at the time Great Britain.
In summary, the 20th president of the United States was shot by Charles Guiteau, who is described as a frustrated theologist, lawyer and book collector with political ambitions.
3. Malcolm X’s death was a monumental change for African Americans in USA
The human rights activist and Muslim minister known as Malcolm X was shot onstage at the Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965 by two men armed with semi-automatic handguns and one with a sawed-off shotgun. Malcolm had been the target of death threats since 1964.
His death was massive because the civil rights leader, Malcolm X, was very instrumental in helping to change the way African Americans and European Americans. Malcolm X was shot when he came on to a stage at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City on February 21, 1965.
The impact that Malcolm X had on the world of politics and civil rights was massive. Malcolm X a former prominent Nation of Islam who advocated for more rights especially among black and brown skinned people in the United States. Malcolm X was a well known and celebrated icon within African American and Muslim communities because he wanted racial justice.
Malcolm X was feared for his radical views about segregation, race relations, and his relationship with the Island. Malcolm X was shot and gunned down by three men at the age of 39.
4. Abraham Lincoln’s Assassination was the earliest to be controversial
John Kennedy’s assassination was massive but the first big presidential death was of Abraham Lincoln. It was Lincoln’s Assassination that led to a general Conspiracy to kidnap and kill Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States and supported but with controversy. Why? Because Abraham Lincoln's opinion and early vision on slavery in American history is one of the most controversial aspects and issues of his life.
In general, Lincoln often would talk about his moral and ethical opposition to slavery in public. Moreover, Lincoln was outspoken about slavery more than anyone else in the early days.
The Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln was on April 14, 1865. It was a big event especially because Confederate sympathizer and supporter John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln while he watched a play at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C.
After a big and extensive manhunt, the assassin Booth was shot and killed. Also, eight others were found guilty of conspiring to help kill the President. Lincoln’s funeral and burial were significant because it was attended by many at the time and was a day for national mourning.
5. President William McKinley was shot by an anarchist in 1901
People around the world do not realize how much death and destruction has been happening in American presidential elections. This is an assassination that seemed to fly under the radar and is forgotten. This became a disturbing trend early on in American history.
It was already by September of 1901 when president William McKinley became the third American president. This president was assassinated after he had been finally shot at the Pan American Exposition, which is located in Buffalo, New York.
In terms of similarities, like president Lincoln, President William McKinley was assassinated following a successful period and recent triumphs. Mckinley’s administration had been managing and enjoying victory in the Spanish-American War. Things were positive for Mckinlet and he had just won another election, but dissenters were still looming in American society. Eventually, after recent success Mckinley was shot by someone described as an anarchist named Leon Czolgosz in New York. In summary, McKinley’s eventual death from his injuries paved the way for his vice president to take his place. Moreover, Mckinley’s death had caused a big change in the nation's history to usher in Theodore Roosevelt.
6. The assassination of Robert F Kennedy after the big presidential death of his brother
John F Kennedy’s death was stunning. It shook the United States to its core. With the United States still getting over from Martin Luther King’s assassination, Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential run ended in an untimely tragic death. His death had affected the United States sense of safety and lack of stability.
Robert Kennedy, a United States senator and candidate in the 1968 Democratic Party presidential primaries, had won and positivity was clearly in the air. However, the mood of the USA was tense and only getting better but only before it got much worse.
Robert Kennedy was shot by an assassin named Sirhan Sirhan in 1968. The killer got the death penalty, but the initial sentence was later changed to a life imprisonment sentence.
RFK, Kennedy did not die immediately as he died at Good Samaritan Hospital nearly 25 hours later. The death of Kennedy had changed the political landscape and brought in Hubert Humphrey to win the Democratic Party nomination that year in the USA.
7. President Gerald Ford had Two Assassination Attempts by two women
It is stunning to think that there were two attempts on one president’s life. Which unlucky president was this in the United States? This was Gerald Ford, he was the 38th president of the United States. He served between 1974 and 1977 as president.
Ford’s history is marked with drama. For example, Ford escaped and got away from two assassination attempts, which were both by women. It is shocking to see that women would attempt to kill the president.
The near assassination happened in September of 1975. The first attempt was with Lynette Fromme, who was a follower of Charles Manson. In the 1960s and 1970s, Manson was a cult leader involved with the extremist left wing movement of the 1960s underground
The assassin had pointed a gun at President Ford but did not fire. Then again this happened to Ford when the second attempt occurred. President Ford's life was in peril on September 22, 1975 when Sara Jane Moore shot at the president. Two women tried to kill the same president, but fortunately failed.
8. The most famous assassination of a Civil Rights Activist: Martin Luther King
No civil rights is as popular as Martin Luther King. Martin Luther King was assassinated in Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. The day he died was an explosive day in American history. The news shocked and changed the fabric of society in the United States.
Martin Luther King was an African American Baptist minister and activist for civil rights. King had led and helped popularize the civil rights movement since the 1950s. King was very good at utilizing a mixture of powerful speaking skills with nonviolent protest techniques.
Martin Luther King’s assassination had developed to such a state of anger and frustration among African Americans. King’s death was so impactful it caused a day of national mourning in the USA. King’s assassination and death led to the development of an equal housing bill that would be one of the biggest and most significant legislative achievements of the civil rights era.
Martin Luther King’s death was massive because the love and influence he had was as big as a president, and he had a memorable line popularized; “I have a dream.”
9. Popular American rapper was targeted and killed in the 1990s
The changing of society was as strong in the 1990s as 1960s. The 90s decade was filled with music, societal change in culture, and increasing diversity. Tupac Shakur was an influential and very popular American rapper and actor. Shakur was a leading name in 1990s gangstars rap. Shakur became what is said to be an enduring and strong symbol and brand of artistic expression in hip-hop culture.
Tupac Shakur was gunned down and eventually died on September 13, 1996. His shooting and planned assassination as a celebrity rapper had happened when a gunman in a Cadillac shot Shakur four times in the chest at a stoplight in Las Vegas, Nevada. His death sent a shockwave in American society, which eventually was felt around the world.
In recent years, Tupac Shakur’s death and legacy has increased and made him known worldwide for his thoughtful, controversial, and groundbreaking lyrics and presence.
10. The planned killing of John Lennon of the Beatles in New York
Music plays a big theme just as much as politics. John Lennon of the Beatles was a major figure of the 1960s rock music of the USA and United Kingdom. John Lennon was one of the first rock stars who represented freedom, youthful expression, and validation of self in a new changing world in the 1960s and 1970s.
Ex-Beatles singer John Lennon was assassinated in front of his apartment building in New York City. The planned killing or assassination happened around 10.50 pm. The shooter was Mark David Chapman, a fan who waited a long time to get the right moment to kill Lennon.
However, the death of Lennon was over a controversial statement made by Lennon from the 1960s. Chapman killed Lennon because of his 1966 comment that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus Christ.” The killing of a musician over freedom of expression and religion was symbolic. John Lennon’s death was one of the most famous assassinations of a musician ever.
