The President is Shot

September 6, 1901 - Following a speech in the Temple of Music at Pan-Pacific exposition, an anarchist named Leon Czolgosz shot President Mckinley. He fired 2 shots into the president’s abdomen as he reached out to shake hands. Moments before, the president had given away his lucky charm, a red carnation, to a little girl who asked for the souvenir.

The president’s secretary, George Cortelyou, had cancelled this appearance at the Temple of Music twice, but McKinley insisted on giving the speech and meeting with the crowds of supporters who flocked to see him.

McKinley died eight days later. Czolgosz was executed seven weeks after the assassination.