Which US Presidents were Assassinated in Office?

Being the President of the most powerful nation in the world is not an easy job. It means bearing a lot of pressure and taking decisions that can not only change the course of the nation but the world itself. So, it might not be surprising to know that the president lives in constant danger as he has way too many enemies around.

The Presidents of USA have always been under major assassination threats. Some of the presidential assassinations that were attempted and were successful have become a historical event in themselves. These are those gruesome murders and failed assassination plots that shook the nation and the world altogether.

Here is a list of few assassination attempts and plots of the US Presidents. Explore!

#1. Abraham Lincoln 

One of the most famous men in world history and a noted figure, Lincoln was a major political figure and there were a lot of people who were snubbed by his stand. Most of the world knows that the President met a really sad end. He was shot dead at Ford’s Theatre by a man named Booth, who was a well-known actor. Lincoln was shot once in the head by the assailant who then fled away. The President did not survive long as he was paralyzed and short of breath, he died the next morning. The President breathed his last on April 14, 1865. Though this was not the first time an assassination threat was made on him. Just a year before his death, on the night of 14 August 1864, the President who was traveling on horseback heard a gunshot and his hat went flying soon after. When the president collected his hat, he found a bullet hole in it. Private John W. Nichols who went to help the President was told to keep the matter quiet.

(Image Courtesy: Mental Floss)

#2. James Garfield

Another assassination was that of James Garfield who was shot by Charles Guiteau on July 2, 1881. Guiteau who was a frustrated office seeker was disappointed that the President did not appoint him to a diplomatic post. Strangely enough, when the doctor pronounced Garfield as dead, he was alive and remained so until September 19, 1881, where he died of unsanitary probing of his wound. He died 79 days after being shot.

(Image Courtesy: History)

#3. John F. Kennedy

Another really famous and talked of assassination attempt on a President of USA was that of John F. Kennedy. He was shot to death on November 22 in the year 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald. The President was seated in his convertible and was driving through downtown Dallas along with his presidential motorcade. He was not only one who was a victim of the assassination attempt but even Texas Governor John Connally was wounded. Kennedy died just 30 minutes later whereas the governor made a full recovery. The assailant was caught soon after but was shot dead during a prison transfer. This is why Kennedy’s death has always been shrouded in mystery.

(Image Courtesy: Huffington Post)

#4. William McKinley

President William McKinley was shot to death by Leon Czolgosz. As the president shook hands at the Pan-American Exhibition in Buffalo, New York, the assailant shot him in the chest twice. The president's bodyguard took him down before he could shoot the third time.The incident took place on September 6, 1901, and the President finally succumbed to the attack on September 14, 1901. 

(Image Courtesy: Miller Center)

Failed Assassination Plot oN US President:

#5. Bill Clinton 

Not many know that the scandalous President could have been the victim of America’s greatest enemy Osama Bin Laden. The terrorist who was on the 'Most Wanted' hit list for long until his assassination was planning an attack long before that of 9/11. In 1996 when the President was in the Philippines as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, he planned to visit a local politician for whom his vehicle would have to drive over a bridge. The Al-Qaeda had planned to blow up the bridge and kill the President, but special service agents stopped the plan right at its conception by changing the route of the President's car.

(Image Courtesy: National Review)

From the first to the very worst President of USA had to face death threats during his tenure? Do you think that power is really worth the price after all? Share your feedback using the comment box below.