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

Charlotte Corday Assassinated Jean-Paul Marat

July 13th, 1793 231 years ago

Charlotte Corday, a member of the Girondins, assassinated Jean-Paul Marat, a radical journalist and revolutionary leader, in his bathtub in Paris. Fueled by Marat's incendiary writings, which incited violence against their political rivals, Corday sought to silence him as she believed it would restore peace to France. Disguised as a messenger, she gained entry into his home under the pretense of delivering a letter. Once inside, she fatally stabbed him with a long knife, marking a significant and controversial moment in the French Revolution.

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Politics & Government

King Gustav III of Sweden succumbs to gunshot wounds

March 29th, 1792 232 years ago

King Gustav III of Sweden died after being shot in the back at a midnight masquerade ball at Stockholm's Royal Opera 13 days earlier. The shooting was a result of political tensions surrounding the king's authoritarian rule. Gustav had been a patron of the arts and sought to modernize Sweden, but his strong-armed tactics alienated various factions. His death marked the end of an era, leading to increased instability in Sweden and sparking debates over royal power and governance.

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Politics & Government

Gustav III of Sweden is mortally wounded

March 16th, 1792 233 years ago

On March 16, 1792, King Gustav III of Sweden was shot by an assassin, Jacob Johan Anckarström, during a masquerade ball at the Royal Opera House in Stockholm. The king was shot in the back while mingling with his guests, and although he initially survived the attack, he succumbed to his injuries on March 29. The motives behind the assassination were rooted in political discontent, particularly from nobles unhappy with the king's autocratic rule.

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Politics & Government

Murder of Former Emperor Peter III of Russia

July 17th, 1762 262 years ago

Peter III of Russia was murdered while in custody after a coup led by his wife, Catherine II. Following his abdication, Peter was held at Ropsha Palace, where he was under the supervision of the new empress’s supporters. He was reportedly killed by officers who considered him a threat to Catherine's rule. His death marked a significant turning point in the history of the Russian Empire as it solidified Catherine's hold on power and her subsequent reign as one of Russia's most prominent rulers.

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Crime & Law

Assassination Attempt on Louis XV

January 5th, 1757 268 years ago

Robert-François Damiens attempted to assassinate Louis XV of France, using a knife in a calculated strike. The incident occurred as Louis XV was returning home, and despite being seriously injured, he survived the attack. Damiens was quickly apprehended, and his actions were attributed to discontent with the monarchy. The assassination attempt resulted in intense public scrutiny and fear regarding royal security, embodying the discontent brewing among the populace.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of George Villiers by John Felton

August 23rd, 1628 396 years ago

George Villiers, the first Duke of Buckingham, was assassinated in Portsmouth by John Felton, a disgruntled soldier. Felton held Villiers responsible for the failures in military campaigns and government corruption, leading to his attack. The assassination took place inside a boarding house where Villiers was staying, shocking the court and the nations both in England and abroad.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of Henry IV of France

May 14th, 1610 414 years ago

On May 14, 1610, King Henry IV of France was assassinated in Paris by François Ravaillac, a Catholic zealot. Ravaillac vehemently opposed the king’s policies that promoted religious tolerance toward Protestants. Henry was fatally stabbed in his carriage during a surprise attack, leading to a swift change in the French monarchy. Following the assassination, his son, Louis XIII, ascended the throne at a young age. The event marked a pivotal moment in French history, igniting concerns over instability and the future of the monarchy.

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Politics & Government

Assassination Attempt on Paolo Sarpi

October 5th, 1607 417 years ago

An attempted assassination targeted Paolo Sarpi, a prominent Venetian statesman and scientist. On this day, Sarpi was assaulted by hired assassins while leaving the church of San Moisè in Venice. The motives behind the attack were likely linked to Sarpi's reformist ideas and conflicts with the Catholic Church, which viewed him as a threat due to his intellectual pursuits and advocacy for church-state separation. Despite being wounded, Sarpi survived the attempt on his life, which emphasized the tension between emerging modern thought and traditional power structures.

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Politics & Government

Pierre Barrière's assassination attempt on Henry IV

August 27th, 1593 431 years ago

Pierre Barrière attempted to assassinate King Henry IV of France in Paris. Armed with a dagger, Barrière tried to stab the king as he passed by on the street. However, the king was able to defend himself and Barrière was subdued by the guards. This shocking act underscored the political tensions surrounding Henry IV, who was navigating a fraught religious divide in France.

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