Presidential Assassinations, Attempts, and Security Measures

Presidential Assassinations

President Date Location/Address Outcome
Abraham Lincoln April 14, 1865 Ford's Theatre, 511 10th Street NW
Washington, DC
Lincoln was shot as he was watching a play. He died April 15, 1865 at the Petersen House in Washington of his wounds.
James Garfield July 2, 1881 Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station, near Southwest Corner of Constitution Avenue and 6th Street NW
Washington, DC
Garfield was shot from behind as he was walking through the station. As a result of failed attempts to locate the bullet which caused infections and blood poisoning he died September 19, 1881 at Elberon, New Jersey.
William McKinley Sept. 6, 1901 Pan-American Exposition, Temple of Music, 34 Fordham Drive
Buffalo, New York
McKinley was shot at close range as he was greeting the public. He died on September 14, 1901 in Buffalo from gangrene caused by the bullet wounds.
John F. Kennedy Nov. 22, 1963 411 Elm Street, Dealey Plaza
Dallas, Texas
Kennedy was struck by gunshots while riding in a motorcade through downtown Dallas. He was pronounced dead at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas shortly after the shooting.

Information and Resources about the Four Presidential Assassinations

Presidential Assassination Attempts

President Date Location/Address Outcome
Andrew Jackson Jan. 30, 1835 U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC
A man attempted to fire two guns at Jackson at close range, however, the guns did not discharge a bullet and Jackson was unharmed.
Theodore Roosevelt
(was former President at the time)
Oct. 14, 1912 Hotel Gilpatrick
333 West Kilbourne Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
After leaving the hotel and before heading to a campaign speech, a man fired on former President and current Presidential candidate Roosevelt and the bullet lodged in his chest. The bullet was slowed by the papers from Roosevelt's speech and his glasses case. He was not seriously injured and insisted on delivering his lengthly speech as planned. Only after the speech did he go to the hospital for examination. It was decided that the bullet remain in Roosevelt's body.
Franklin Roosevelt
(was President-Elect at the time)
Feb. 15, 1933 Bayfront Park
301 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida
A man fired shots at the car from which President-Elect Roosevelt had just given a speech. Roosevelt was not hit, but the bullets hit others, including Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak who died from his wounds.
Harry Truman Nov. 1, 1950 Blair House
1651 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC
Two gunmen unsuccessfully attempted to obtain entry to Blair House, where Truman was staying as the White House was being renovated. A gun battle with the Secret Service and other guards commenced and one gunman was killed and the other wounded. Truman was unharmed, but one White House police officer was killed.
Gerald Ford Sept. 5, 1975 California State Capitol
1315 10th Street
Sacramento, California
A woman attempted to fire a gun at Ford as he was approaching the California Capitol. A Secret Service agent noticed and prevented her from firing the weapon.
Gerald Ford Sept. 22, 1975 St. Francis Hotel
335 Powell Street
San Francisco, California
Upon leaving the St. Francis Hotel a woman fired a gun at Ford. All the shots missed and Ford was unharmed.
Ronald Reagan March 30, 1981 Washington Hilton Hotel
1919 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC
Upon leaving the Washington Hilton Hotel, Reagan was shot by a gunman. He was rushed to George Washington University Hospital where he underwent surgery to remove the bullet. Reagan made a full recovery and returned to the White House on April 11, 1981.