Historical Events tagged with "anarchism"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Politics & Government

Assassination Attempt on Spanish Royal Couple

May 31st, 1906 118 years ago

King Alfonso XIII of Spain and Queen Victoria Eugenie faced an assassination attempt during their wedding ceremony in Madrid. As the royal couple traveled in a carriage, a bomb was thrown by an anarchist group aiming to kill them. The attack resulted in the deaths of 24 people, with many more injured, while the couple emerged unscathed. The incident highlighted tensions in Spain regarding the monarchy and increasing violence from radical groups.

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Politics & Government

McKinley Assassination Leads to Roosevelt Presidency

September 14th, 1901 123 years ago

William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, succumbed to gunshot wounds inflicted by anarchist Leon Czolgosz on September 6. After days of struggle, McKinley died on September 14 in Buffalo, New York. His assassination took place during a public event, highlighting growing tensions and fears associated with anarchist movements of the time. McKinley’s death set the stage for Theodore Roosevelt, who was Vice President at the time, to assume the presidency, marking a significant shift in American politics.

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Politics & Government

Leon Czolgosz Assassination of President McKinley

September 6th, 1901 123 years ago

Leon Czolgosz, an unemployed anarchist, assassinated U.S. President William McKinley at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Czolgosz approached the President under the pretext of shaking his hand and shot him with a revolver. Despite immediate medical attention, McKinley succumbed to his wounds a few days later, marking a pivotal moment in American history.

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Politics & Government

Assassination Attempt on German Emperor Wilhelm II

March 6th, 1901 124 years ago

An anarchist attempted to assassinate German Emperor Wilhelm II while he was traveling in a procession in Bremen, Germany. The assassin, known as Émile Henry, threw a bomb that missed the emperor but caused casualties among nearby officials and civilians. The incident heightened tensions regarding political violence in Europe and demonstrated the growing threat of anarchist movements during this period.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of King Umberto I of Italy

July 29th, 1900 124 years ago

King Umberto I of Italy was assassinated by the anarchist Gaetano Bresci in Monza while he was attending a public event. The assassination was motivated by the king's policies and his perceived failure to address social issues affecting the working class in Italy. Bresci, who had been living in the United States, returned to Italy to carry out the assassination as an act of anarchist rebellion against monarchy and authority.

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Crime & Law

Assassination of Empress Elisabeth of Austria

September 10th, 1898 126 years ago

Empress Elisabeth of Austria was assassinated by Luigi Lucheni while she was strolling on the promenade of Lake Geneva. The assassin, a self-proclaimed anarchist, approached her with a sharpened file and inflicted a fatal wound to her heart. Empress Elisabeth, known for her beauty and enigmatic persona, was traveling incognito at the time of the attack. This incident shocked Europe and drew widespread attention, marking a tragic turn in the life of one of its most beloved royals.

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Politics & Government

Michele Angiolillo Kills Antonio Cánovas

August 8th, 1897 127 years ago

Michele Angiolillo, an Italian anarchist, assassinated Spanish Prime Minister Antonio Cánovas del Castillo in a violent act that reflected the growing tensions between anarchist movements and governmental authorities in late 19th-century Europe. The assassination took place in Guipúzkoa, Spain, where Angiolillo approached Cánovas and shot him multiple times, reportedly to protest against the harsh repression of anarchists in Spain. This act sparked widespread debates about political violence and the role of anarchism in societal change.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of Marie François Sadi Carnot

June 24th, 1894 130 years ago

Marie François Sadi Carnot, the President of France, was assassinated in Lyon by an Italian anarchist named Sante Geronimo Caserio. During a public event, Carnot was attacked with a dagger by Caserio, which ultimately led to his death. The assassination occurred shortly after a prestigious exposition was held in the city, where Carnot was in attendance. Caserio justified his actions as a political statement against the French government, which he viewed as oppressive. This moment shocked the nation and sparked discussions on political violence and anarchism.

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Crime & Law

Émile Henry Bombs Cafe Terminus in Paris

February 12th, 1894 131 years ago

Anarchist Émile Henry detonated a bomb at the Cafe Terminus in Paris, resulting in the death of one individual and injuring twenty others. This act was part of a broader anarchist movement's violent campaign against the government. Henry, motivated by his beliefs against state repression, chose the busy café as a target to maximize attention. Authorities quickly pursued Henry, who was captured shortly thereafter.

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