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.

Crime & Law

Burke and Cavendish Assassinated in Dublin

May 6th, 1882 142 years ago

Thomas Henry Burke and Lord Frederick Cavendish were assassinated in Phoenix Park, Dublin by members of the Fenian movement, a radical Irish nationalist group. The two officials were on a walk in the park when they were ambushed and stabbed multiple times. The attack was politically motivated, aiming to oppose British rule in Ireland and was part of a broader agenda of violent resistance. Shortly after the incident, the assassins fled the scene, leading to a widespread manhunt and increased tensions in Irish-British relations.

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Crime & Law

Robert Ford Assassinated Jesse James

April 3rd, 1882 142 years ago

In St. Joseph, Missouri, Robert Ford shot Jesse James, a notorious outlaw. Ford purportedly aimed to collect the bounty on James and sought notoriety. At the time, James was in the process of adjusting a picture on the wall of his home when Ford shot him in the back.

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Crime & Law

Queen Victoria Escapes Assassination Attempt

March 2nd, 1882 143 years ago

Roderick Maclean attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria while she was attending a public event at Windsor. Armed with a revolver, he fired at her; however, the shot missed. The quick response of the local authorities and a nearby police officer helped apprehend Maclean, preventing what could have been a significant tragedy. This incident underscored the risks faced by public figures, particularly monarchs, in an age of increasing political discontent.

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Politics & Government

Charles J. Guiteau Assassinated President Garfield

July 2nd, 1881 143 years ago

Charles J. Guiteau, an embittered office-seeker, shot U.S. President James A. Garfield at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. Guiteau had been frustrated by his failure to secure a government position, believing that Garfield's death would benefit the nation. The president was wounded severely, and he succumbed to infections and complications from his injuries later in September.

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Politics & Government

Giovanni Passannante's Attack on King Umberto I

November 17th, 1878 146 years ago

Giovanni Passannante attempted to assassinate King Umberto I of Italy while the King was in the city of Naples. Armed with a dagger, Passannante lunged at the King, inflicting a minor wound to Umberto's arm. Prime Minister Benedetto Cairoli intervened, sustaining an injury to his leg in the process. Despite the attack, the King survived, and Passannante was apprehended.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of Mihailo Obrenović III

June 10th, 1868 156 years ago

Mihailo Obrenović III, the Prince of Serbia, was assassinated in Belgrade. On this fateful day, he was attacked by political rivals who opposed his rule. The assassination marked a significant turning point in Serbian politics, as it sparked a wave of turmoil and conflict over succession and legitimacy in authority. The location was crucial; Belgrade had been a focal point in Serbian national identity and politics, and the incident sent shockwaves through both the ruling elite and the populace.

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Crime & Law

Assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee

April 7th, 1868 156 years ago

Thomas D'Arcy McGee, a key figure in Canadian Confederation, was assassinated by a member of the Fenian Brotherhood in Ottawa. The attack occurred as McGee was returning home late at night. The assassin, Patrick J. Whelan, aimed to disrupt the Canadian government and took drastic action against McGee, who was vocally opposed to Fenianism. The killing sparked nationwide outrage and intensified debates about security and the Fenian threat in Canada.

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Politics & Government

Assassination Attempt on Alexander II of Russia

April 4th, 1866 158 years ago

Dmitry Karakozov attempted to assassinate Tsar Alexander II in Saint Petersburg. During a public appearance, Karakozov fired a pistol at the Tsar but missed. The failed attempt raised alarm across the empire and highlighted discontent among certain factions in Russian society.

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Crime & Law

Execution of Lincoln's Assassination Conspirators

July 7th, 1865 159 years ago

Four individuals convicted for their roles in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln were executed by hanging. This event took place at the Old Arsenal Penitentiary in Washington, D.C., marking a significant moment in the aftermath of Lincoln's death. The conspirators were Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold, and George Atzerodt, all found guilty of participating in the plot to murder the president. The swift execution highlighted the Union's desire for justice and the consequences of treason during a tumultuous period in American history.

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