How Many U.S. Presidents Have Been Assassinated?

November 15, 2024 February 13, 2026

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A total of four U.S. presidents have been assassinated while in office. These tragic events have left an indelible mark on American history. Let's delve into the lives and circumstances surrounding these presidents.

1. Abraham Lincoln (1865)

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was assassinated on April 15, 1865, while attending a play at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor and Confederate sympathizer, shot Lincoln in the back of the head. Lincoln died the next morning, and Booth was later killed by Union soldiers ¹.

2. James A. Garfield (1881)

James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, was assassinated on July 2, 1881, while waiting for a train at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker, shot Garfield in the back. Garfield died 79 days later, and Guiteau was executed by hanging ¹.

3. William McKinley (1901)

William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, was assassinated on September 6, 1901, while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Leon Czolgosz, a 28-year-old anarchist, shot McKinley twice in the abdomen. McKinley died eight days later, and Czolgosz was executed by electric chair ¹.

4. John F. Kennedy (1963)

John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was assassinated on November 22, 1963, while riding in an open-top car in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. Lee Harvey Oswald, a 24-year-old former Marine, shot Kennedy in the head. Kennedy died shortly after arrival at the hospital, and Oswald was later shot and killed by night club owner Jack Ruby ¹.

In addition to these four assassinations, there have been numerous other attempts to kill U.S. presidents. Some notable examples include:

Andrew Jackson: The first recorded attempt on a president's life occurred on January 30, 1835, when Richard Lawrence attempted to shoot Andrew Jackson.

Theodore Roosevelt: On October 14, 1912, John Schrank shot Theodore Roosevelt, who was running for president as the candidate of the Progressive Party.

Franklin D. Roosevelt: On February 15, 1933, Giuseppe Zangara attempted to assassinate Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Harry S. Truman: On November 1, 1950, Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola attempted to assassinate Harry S. Truman.

Gerald Ford: On September 5, 1975, Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme attempted to assassinate Gerald Ford.

Ronald Reagan: On March 30, 1981, John Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan.

These events highlight the risks and challenges faced by U.S. presidents, who must balance their duties with the need to ensure their safety and security.