One of the darkest days in American history - On This Day in 1901 - William McKinley was shot. With three bodyguards in tow, the President attended a reception in Buffalo. Despite security concerns he stood in the open, in a receiving line. Shown: 15 minutes before the attack /1 
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Well-wishers were told to approach the president with their hands open and empty. But it was a hot day and many held handkerchiefs to wipe their brows. Within minutes, Leon Czolgosz, a 28-year old Polish-American anarchist, approached - his gun hidden in his handkerchief
Well-wishers were told to approach the president with their hands open and empty. But it was a hot day and many held handkerchiefs to wipe their brows. Within minutes, Leon Czolgosz, a 28-year old Polish-American anarchist, approached - his gun hidden in his handkerchief
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One bullet lodged in the president's stomach while the other ricocheted off a button. As the crowd pounced on the assassin, beating him, McKinley said “go easy on him, boys.” Looking into the face of his killer, the collapsing McKinley said, “May God forgive him.”
One bullet lodged in the president's stomach while the other ricocheted off a button. As the crowd pounced on the assassin, beating him, McKinley said “go easy on him, boys.” Looking into the face of his killer, the collapsing McKinley said, “May God forgive him.”
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Asked if he felt much pain, the president put his hand into an opening on his shirt, near his heart and replied “This wound pains greatly.” He removed his hand, fingers covered in blood. His head dropped to his chest. The president was conscious as he was rushed to a hospital
Asked if he felt much pain, the president put his hand into an opening on his shirt, near his heart and replied “This wound pains greatly.” He removed his hand, fingers covered in blood. His head dropped to his chest. The president was conscious as he was rushed to a hospital
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On the way to the hospital, the president felt in his clothing and pulled out a metal object. “I believe this is a bullet.” He lingered for eight days before succumbing to his wounds. His murder put 42-year old Theodore Roosevelt in the White House
On the way to the hospital, the president felt in his clothing and pulled out a metal object. “I believe this is a bullet.” He lingered for eight days before succumbing to his wounds. His murder put 42-year old Theodore Roosevelt in the White House
In the months before his murder, President McKinley scoffed at the death threats he recieved. But security was dramatically increased nonetheless. Here's an excerpt from "Under This Roof, the 2015 book by WWR's Paul Brandus:
Four New York-bound passenger planes were hijacked by terrorists. 2001? No - On This Day in 1970. Days later, a fifth flight was seized. The weeklong crisis prompted President Nixon to begin the Sky Marshalls program (more on this in a few days)
