Historical Events tagged with "assassination"

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 of Robert F. Kennedy

June 5th, 1968 56 years ago

Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles shortly after delivering a victory speech upon winning the California primary. Sirhan was a 24-year-old Palestinian, who claimed to have acted out of anger towards Kennedy's pro-Israel stance. The shooting took place around midnight, with Kennedy succumbing to his injuries the following day.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

April 4th, 1968 56 years ago

Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent civil rights leader, was shot and killed by James Earl Ray while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. King was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers' strike, advocating for better working conditions and wages. His assassination sparked widespread outrage and led to riots in several cities across the United States, marking a significant and tragic turning point in the civil rights movement. King was 39 years old at the time of his death.

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Crime & Law

Assassination of George Lincoln Rockwell

August 25th, 1967 57 years ago

George Lincoln Rockwell, the founder of the American Nazi Party, was assassinated in Arlington, Virginia, by a former member of his organization. Rockwell had been a controversial figure in American politics, known for his promotion of white supremacist ideology. His assassination was a culmination of growing tensions within the far-right movements at the time, and it drew significant media attention due to his notoriety and the violent circumstances of his death.

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Politics & Government

Hendrik Verwoerd Assassinated in Parliament

September 6th, 1966 58 years ago

Hendrik Verwoerd was stabbed to death during a parliamentary meeting in Cape Town, South Africa. The attack occurred when a man, angered by apartheid policies, lunged towards Verwoerd with a blade. Verwoerd, known as the architect of apartheid, died shortly after the attack, leading to a significant moment in South African politics.

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Politics & Government

Colonel Phạm Ngọc Thảo Executed by Unknown Assassins

July 16th, 1965 59 years ago

Phạm Ngọc Thảo, a South Vietnamese Colonel, was hunted down and killed by unknown individuals following his death sentence in absentia for his involvement in a coup attempt against General Nguyễn Khánh in February 1965. As a communist spy and double agent, Thảo's actions had significant implications during the Vietnam War, leading to his eventual demise amidst political turmoil. His assassination highlighted the treacherous environment and internal conflicts within the South Vietnamese military and government.

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Crime & Law

Jack Ruby Convicted for Oswald's Murder

March 14th, 1964 61 years ago

Jack Ruby was convicted for the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald, the man accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy. Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner, shot Oswald on November 24, 1963, in the basement of the Dallas police headquarters as Oswald was being transferred to a different jail. The conviction on March 14, 1964, came after a trial that examined Ruby's motives and the chaotic context of the assassination of Kennedy just days prior. Ruby claimed he acted out of grief and anger over Kennedy's murder.

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Politics & Government

Lyndon B. Johnson Establishes Warren Commission

November 29th, 1963 61 years ago

President Lyndon B. Johnson established the Warren Commission to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Announced during a time of national mourning, the commission aimed to provide a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the assassination, which took place on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. The commission was chaired by Chief Justice Earl Warren and included several prominent figures, tasked with determining the facts of the case to prevent further conspiracies and doubts about the findings surrounding JFK's death.

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Crime & Law

Lee Harvey Oswald Killed on Live Television

November 24th, 1963 61 years ago

Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy, was shot and killed by nightclub owner Jack Ruby while being transferred from the Dallas police station to the county jail. This incident occurred in the basement of the Dallas Police Department and was broadcast live to millions of viewers. The shocking moment unfolded just two days after Kennedy's assassination, capturing the attention of a fearful and grieving nation. Jack Ruby claimed he acted out of outrage over Kennedy's murder, compelling him to take justice into his own hands.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of John F. Kennedy

November 22nd, 1963 61 years ago

U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Lee Harvey Oswald fired shots from the Texas School Book Depository, striking both Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally. Oswald fled and later killed Dallas Police officer J. D. Tippit during his escape. Following the assassination, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States aboard Air Force One.

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