The 6 most infamous political assassinations in American history

Political assassinations often stem from deep-seated motives and exhibit recurring patterns. One common motive is ideological extremism, where the assassin believes their target represents an existential threat to their beliefs.

This fervor can drive individuals to commit drastic acts, viewing the elimination of their target as a necessary step to protect or advance their cause.

For example, John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln out of a fervent belief that he was avenging the South and preserving his vision of America. 

Another prevalent motive is personal grievance. Individuals who feel wronged or marginalized may target political figures they hold responsible for their plight.

Charles J. Guiteau, who assassinated President James A. Garfield, harbored a personal vendetta after being denied a government appointment.

In his mind, killing Garfield would rectify the injustice he perceived. 

Additionally, political assassinations can be driven by a desire for notoriety or infamy. Some assassins seek to gain historical significance through their actions.

They believe that by killing a prominent figure, they will secure a place in history. Lee Harvey Oswald's assassination of John F. Kennedy is often seen in this light, as Oswald's motivations included a desire for recognition and a belief in his own importance.  

There is also the factor of mental instability, which frequently plays a role in political assassinations. Many assassins suffer from severe psychological issues, which can distort their perception of reality and justify their actions in their minds.

John Hinckley Jr.'s attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan was influenced by his delusional obsession with actress Jodie Foster.

In cases like these, mental health problems create a volatile mix of personal and ideological motives. 

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865, remains one of America's most tragic moments. Lincoln attended a performance of "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., seeking some respite after the long Civil War.

During the play, John Wilkes Booth, an actor and Confederate sympathizer, stealthily approached the presidential box.

In a moment, Booth shot Lincoln in the back of the head with a Derringer pistol. Chaos erupted in the theater as Booth leaped onto the stage, shouting "Sic semper tyrannis" before fleeing. 

Doctors rushed to Lincoln's aid, moving him to a boarding house across the street. Despite their efforts, Lincoln remained unconscious and succumbed to his injury the following morning on April 15.

His death plunged the country into deep mourning, marking the first assassination of an American president. With the Civil War's end in sight, Lincoln's murder dashed hopes for a smooth post-war reconstruction. 

Booth's actions were part of a larger conspiracy to destabilize the federal government. This plan included attempts on the lives of Vice President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William Seward.

Although Seward survived a brutal knife attack, Johnson's would-be assassin lost his nerve and fled. Booth managed to evade capture for twelve days, hiding in rural Maryland and Virginia.

Ultimately, Union soldiers tracked him down to a barn, where he was fatally shot. 

The assassination had significant political and social repercussions. Lincoln's successor, Andrew Johnson, faced immense challenges in reunifying the nation and addressing the contentious issues of Reconstruction.

However, Johnson's approach differed significantly from Lincoln's, which led to tensions and conflicts that shaped the post-war era.

In the aftermath, the nation grappled with the harsh realities of reconstruction and the struggle for civil rights for newly freed slaves. 

Garfield was the 20th President of the United States and he was at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C., preparing to embark on a summer trip.

On July 2, 1881, Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker, approached Garfield and shot him twice with a .44 caliber revolver.

Garfield collapsed and doctors quickly attended to the injured president, but their efforts were complicated and often misguided.  

In an attempt to locate the bullets, they probed his wounds with unsterilized instruments and fingers, inadvertently introducing infections.

Over the following weeks, Garfield's condition deteriorated. The medical community's inability to effectively treat him highlighted the era's limited understanding of infection and sanitation. 

For two months, Garfield endured immense suffering while the nation anxiously followed his condition. People across the country held vigils and sent messages of hope.

In early September, Garfield was moved to the seaside town of Elberon, New Jersey, in the hope that the fresh air would aid his recovery.

Unfortunately, his health continued to decline. 

On September 19, 1881, Garfield succumbed to his injuries, leaving the nation in mourning. Vice President Chester A. Arthur was sworn in as president, and faced the immediate challenge of addressing the political fallout from the assassination.

The incident prompted widespread criticism of the spoils system, which had contributed to Guiteau's sense of entitlement and subsequent actions.

In response, Congress passed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883 to reduce corruption and improve the federal hiring process. 

Guiteau was quickly apprehended after the shooting and stood trial for murder. Regardless of his claims of insanity, the jury found him guilty, and he was executed by hanging in June 1882.

The tragic event highlighted the need for better protection of government officials and the importance of medical advancements in treating injuries. 

Often forgotten today, the assassination of William McKinley on September 6, 1901, stunned the nation. McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, attended the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.

During a public reception at the Temple of Music, an anarchist named Leon Czolgosz approached him. Concealing a revolver in a handkerchief, Czolgosz shot McKinley twice at close range.

Bystanders immediately subdued the attacker. 

Medical personnel swiftly transported McKinley to the exposition’s hospital where surgeons operated to remove one bullet and repair internal damage.

However, they could not locate the second bullet. In the days following the attack, McKinley's condition initially appeared to stabilize.

Optimistically, doctors and the public hoped for his recovery. Unbeknownst to them, gangrene had begun to spread in the president's abdominal wound. 

On September 13, McKinley's health rapidly deteriorated, and his condition became critical. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt, who had been vacationing in the Adirondack Mountains, rushed back to Buffalo.

In the early hours of September 14, 1901, McKinley finally succumbed to his injuries. As a result, his death plunged the nation into grief, and Roosevelt was swiftly sworn in as the new president. 

Czolgosz openly confessed to the crime. He believed killing McKinley would advance the cause of anarchism.

Subsequently, he was quickly tried and convicted of murder. On October 29, 1901, Czolgosz was executed in the electric chair. His death was meant to serve as a deterrent to other would-be assassins. 

The assassination of McKinley had significant ramifications for the country. It led to increased awareness of anarchist activities.

Also, Roosevelt's ascension to the presidency marked a turning point in American politics, ushering in an era of progressive reforms. 

The infamous assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, remains one of the most shocking events in all of American history.

Kennedy was traveling through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, in an open-top limousine. The day was sunny and warm, and crowds lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the charismatic leader.

As the motorcade passed the Texas School Book Depository, shots suddenly rang out. 

One bullet hit the president in the back, exiting through his throat, while another fatal shot struck his head. Panic immediately ensued as the motorcade sped to Parkland Memorial Hospital.

Doctors and staff made frantic efforts to save him, but Kennedy was pronounced dead at 1:00 p.m. local time. News of the assassination spread rapidly as the nation fell into deep sorrow.

People gathered around televisions and radios, seeking updates and trying to make sense of the tragedy. 

The killer was discovered to be Lee Harvey Oswald, a former Marine and defector to the Soviet Union. He was captured and arrested nearby, and evidence linked him to the Texas School Book Depository.

With Oswald in custody, questions arose about his motives and possible connections. Two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby shot and killed Oswald in the basement of the Dallas police headquarters, which complicated the ongoing investigation. 

The subsequent Warren Commission, which was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson, concluded that Oswald had acted alone.

This finding did not quell public skepticism, and conspiracy theories emerged, suggesting involvement by various groups.

Over the years, these theories have only grown and have been fueled by perceived inconsistencies and missing information.

The enduring mystery surrounding Kennedy's assassination has kept the event in the public consciousness. 

After the assassination, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was quickly sworn in as president aboard Air Force One. He inherited a nation in mourning and faced the daunting task of leading through a period of uncertainty.

Johnson's subsequent policies, particularly in civil rights and social programs, were clearly influenced by the legacy of Kennedy's presidency.

The assassination also led to significant changes in Secret Service procedures to better protect future presidents. 

While not a president, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, was a devastating blow to the Civil Rights Movement and the nation.

King was standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, when he was struck by a single bullet fired by James Earl Ray at 6:01 p.m.

The bullet entered through his right cheek, shattering his jaw and several vertebrae before lodging in his shoulder. The injury was fatal. 

King was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, where doctors attempted to save his life. In a desperate attempt to revive him, medical staff performed emergency surgery.

However, their efforts were in vain, and King was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. His death ignited grief and anger within the African American community and beyond.

News of his death sparked riots in over 100 cities across the United States, reflecting the profound sense of loss and frustration felt by many.

Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Baltimore were among the cities that saw the most intense violence. In addition to the riots, peaceful vigils and memorials were held to honor King’s legacy. 

In response to the assassination, President Lyndon B. Johnson called for a national day of mourning. He urged Americans to honor King's legacy by continuing the fight for justice and equality.

Congress soon passed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, as a tribute to King’s efforts. This legislation aimed to prevent discrimination in housing, addressing one of the many issues King had fought against. 

But who was James Earl Ray? Detectives quickly learnt that he was a fugitive who had escaped from prison the previous year.

They pursued him and he was captured two months later at London Heathrow Airport. He was extradited to the United States and charged with King's murder.

Ray initially confessed to the crime, but later recanted, claiming he had been framed. Despite this, he was sentenced to 99 years in prison. 

Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, had also become a prominent figure advocating for the rights of African Americans. On February 21, 1965, he was delivering a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, New York, when the attack occurred.

In front of an audience of 400 people, including his wife and children, three gunmen rushed the stage. 

The gunmen fired a total of 21 shots, striking Malcolm X multiple times. He was hit in the chest, arms, and legs. By the time he was taken to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, it was too late.

Malcolm X was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. People who admired his fiery rhetoric and uncompromising stance on civil rights were deeply affected by his sudden and violent death. 

Talmadge Hayer, Norman Butler, and Thomas Johnson, members of the Nation of Islam, were arrested and charged with his murder.

Although Hayer confessed to the crime, Butler and Johnson maintained their innocence. Their trial revealed deep divisions and tensions within the Nation of Islam, of which Malcolm X had been a prominent member.

For years, questions lingered about the true extent of the conspiracy and who was ultimately responsible. 

Malcolm X had been a powerful advocate for Black empowerment and self-defense, who offered a stark contrast to the nonviolent approach championed by Martin Luther King Jr.

His ideas and speeches continued to influence generations of activists and thinkers. In the years following his death, Malcolm X's legacy continued to grow.

In fact, his autobiography, published posthumously, became a seminal work in African American literature.