Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Sept. 6, 2024.
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
On Sept. 6, 1901, President William McKinley was shot and mortally wounded by anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. It was the third time a U.S. president had been assassinated in 36 years.
McKinley had just been reelected and had decided to attend the Temple of Music exhibit at the Pan-Am Exposition, according to historical accounts. As he was shaking hands with the public, Czolgosz, an anarchist, shot him twice in the abdomen.
News of the assassination attempt went worldwide, and was covered in the newspapers of the day.
The 25th president initially appeared to be recovering, but his conditions deteriorated over the following week. Per reports, he died at 2:15 a.m. on Sept. 14.
Theodore Roosevelt, his vice president of just six months, was sworn in that same day.
Czolgosz, who was immediately detained, went on trial just a couple of weeks later, and was sentenced to death. He was executed in the electric chair on Oct. 29, 1901.
Also, Congress passed legislation to officially charge the Secret Service with the responsibility of protecting the president.
Per reports, the 25th president had visited Utah earlier in the year.
During McKinley’s visit to Utah he only spent 20 minutes in Ogden, according to the report. He visited at midnight on May 26, 1901, and had planned a day trip, but his wife was ill, and the rest of the trip was canceled.
Here are stories from Deseret News archives about President McKinley and his assassination:
“A long time ago in Dallas ...”
“Utah’s most important visitors — president of the United States”
“Opinion: A history of assassinations in American politics”
“A Lincoln ‘linked’ to 3 assassinations”
“McKinley, Cleveland and Madison familiar to rich cash-carriers”
“Q&A about decision to change Mount McKinley to Denali”
“Deseret News archives: How many U.S. presidents have visited Utah? More than you think”
“Terrorist threat menaced U.S. a century ago”
“President’s job is difficult”
“Online document: Today in history”
