This article is about the Presidential Assassination attempts of the United States of America. Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, at the Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth. James Abram Garfield was shot on July 2, 1881, at the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad station by Charles Guiteau. Garfield later died on September 19th.
Introduction: Why Study Presidential Assassination Attempts
From conspiracy theories to security reforms, the attempts on U.S. Presidents have left indelible marks. Understanding these Presidential Assassination Attempts helps us appreciate the evolution of presidential protection and the tenuous nature of public leadership.
2. Early Presidential Assassination Attempts: Richard Lawrence & Andrew Jackson (1835)
On January 30, 1835, Richard Lawrence, a house painter, tried to shoot President Andrew Jackson outside the U.S. Capitol.
Both of Lawrence’s pistols misfired, and Jackson, enraged, attacked Lawrence with his cane.
The act is considered the first known assassination attempt on a U.S. President.
Lawrence was later found not guilty by reason of insanity and institutionalized for life.
3. Presidential Assassination Attempts – Abraham Lincoln (1865)
April 14, 1865: John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.
Lincoln died the following day, April 15, 1865.
Booth was part of a larger conspiracy, attempted to escape, but was eventually cornered and killed after a 12-day manhunt.
His familiarity with the theater layout played a role in his planning.
This remains one of the most infamous acts of political violence in American history.
4. Attempt & Death of James A. Garfield (1881)
On July 2, 1881, Charles Guiteau shot President James A. Garfield at the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C.
Garfield lingered in pain and died on September 19, 1881, due to infection and other complications.
Guiteau was declared sane by the court and was hanged on June 30, 1882 for the murder.
His motive was rooted partly in delusions and political grievances.
5. Presidential Assassination Attempts – How Did William Mckinley Die (1901)
Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist, shot President William McKinley at the Temple of Music at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition on September 6.
McKinley died days later from gangrene caused by the wounds.
Czolgosz was convicted quickly, executed in the electric chair on October 29, 1901.
His motivations were tied to radical political ideology.
6. Attempted Murder of Theodore Roosevelt (1912 Campaign)
During his 1912 campaign, John Schrank attempted to assassinate Theodore Roosevelt.
Schrank believed Roosevelt told him in a dream to kill him.
He shot Roosevelt, but the bullet was slowed by papers in his jacket. Roosevelt continued to deliver his speech before seeking medical care.
Schrank was found mentally unfit for trial and committed to a mental hospital.
7. Attempt on Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933)
On February 15, 1933, before his inauguration, Giuseppe Zangara fired multiple shots in Miami, Florida, aiming at President-elect Roosevelt.
Roosevelt was unharmed, but Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak was struck and later died.
Zangara was immediately arrested, pleaded guilty, and executed on March 20, 1933.
8. Attempt on Harry S. Truman (1950)
On November 1, 1950, Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola, Puerto Rican nationalists, attacked the Blair House, targeting President Truman while the White House was under renovation.
Torresola was killed by guards; Collazo was badly wounded and captured.
Truman was unharmed. Collazo was sentenced to death but had sentence commuted; he served decades and was released after 29 years.
9. Assassination of John F. Kennedy (1963)
On November 22, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald shot President John F. Kennedy during a motorcade in Dallas, Texas.
Kennedy was declared dead shortly after arrival at Parkland Hospital.
Oswald was arrested but was killed two days later by Jack Ruby during custody transfer.
The event remains a major source of speculation, commissions, and historical study.
10. Two Attempts on Gerald Ford (1975)
September 5, 1975: Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, follower of Charles Manson, tried to shoot President Ford in Sacramento. Her gun had no bullet loaded in the chamber and misfired.
September 22, 1975: Sara Jane Moore fired a shot at Ford in San Francisco. A bystander, Oliver Sipple, deflected the shot, and Ford was unharmed. Moore was convicted and sentenced to life, later paroled in 2007.
11. Attempt on Ronald Reagan (1981)
March 30, 1981: John Hinckley Jr. shot President Ronald Reagan outside the Washington Hilton.
Press Secretary James Brady was gravely wounded (suffered permanent brain damage).
A Secret Service agent, Tim McCarthy, took a bullet in the chest shielding the president. Another officer was shot in the neck.
Reagan was hit by a ricocheted bullet; he underwent emergency surgery and recovered fully.
Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to psychiatric custody.
12. Plots & Attempts in More Recent Times
While fewer in number, there have been plots and lesser-known Presidential Assassination Attempts:
Francisco Duran fired multiple shots at the White House in 1994, aiming to hit President Bill Clinton. Clinton was inside and unharmed. Biography
Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez fired into the White House in 2011 during President Obama’s tenure. No one was injured.
Thomas Crooks attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a rally in July 2024; Trump was struck in the ear but survived.
13. Common Motivations and Patterns in Presidential Assassination Attempts
Political ideology / radicalism: Many attackers were motivated by extreme political beliefs (e.g., Czolgosz, Zangara).
Mental illness: Trials and histories often reveal psychological instability (e.g., Hinckley, Lawrence, Schrank).
Publicity or delusions: Some sought notoriety or had delusional motives (e.g., Hinckley’s fixation on an actress).
Security gaps exploited: Older assassination attempts used weaknesses in Secret Service protocols. Over time, protective measures have evolved.
14. Presidential Assassination Attempts – Impact on U.S. Security & the Secret Service
Each major attempt has led to reforms in presidential protection, tighter protocols, and increased scrutiny.
The Secret Service gradually shifted from ceremonial roles to detailed threat assessment, intelligence-driven policing, and physical security measures.
Some assassinations changed how motorcades, public appearances, and speech scheduling are handled today.
Presidential assassination attempts in U.S. history reveal not only tragic moments but also the resilience of democratic institutions. While leaders are mortal and vulnerable, the nation’s response has continually improved safeguarding measures. The stories of Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Kennedy, Reagan, and others teach us the perils of political violence—and the necessity of vigilance, stability, and accountability.
16. FAQs – Presidential Assassination Attempts
Q1: How many U.S. Presidents have been assassinated?
A: Four U.S. Presidents have been assassinated — Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy.
Q2: Which President survived multiple assassination attempts?
A: Gerald Ford survived two separate attempts in September 1975.
Q3: Why was John Hinckley Jr. found not guilty?
A: He was found not guilty by reason of insanity, due to mental health factors influencing his action.
Q4: What happened to Lee Harvey Oswald?
A: Oswald was arrested for the assassination of JFK but was shot and killed by Jack Ruby two days later while in police custody.
Q5: Are there modern assassination plots today?
A: Yes, there have been more recent crimes and plots (e.g. the 2024 attempt on Donald Trump), though security and intelligence efforts aim to intercept such threats early.
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