Welcome back to "This Day in American History." I'm your host, Chuck Tanraty. Today, we're diving into a pivotal and tragic moment in American history that occurred on September 6, 1901—the day President William McKinley was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. This shocking event ultimately led to McKinley's death and had profound implications for the nation. Let's explore the background, the incident, and the aftermath of this assassination.

On September 6, 1901, President William McKinley was attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, a world's fair celebrating the achievements of the Western Hemisphere. It was a moment meant to showcase progress and prosperity, but it quickly turned into a day of tragedy. As McKinley stood in a receiving line at the Temple of Music, greeting well-wishers, he extended his hand to a young man in line—Leon Czolgosz. Concealed within a handkerchief, Czolgosz had a .32-caliber revolver. As McKinley reached out to shake his hand, Czolgosz slapped it aside and fired two shots into the president's abdomen.

The first bullet deflected off a button on McKinley’s coat, but the second bullet struck his stomach, causing severe internal damage. Despite his critical condition, McKinley remained calm, urging the crowd not to harm his attacker: "Go easy on him, boys." The crowd, however, was enraged, and police struggled to protect Czolgosz from being lynched on the spot. He was quickly taken into custody, while McKinley was rushed to a hospital for emergency surgery.

Initially, McKinley seemed to be recovering, but his condition soon deteriorated due to gangrene that set in around the wound. On September 14, 1901, eight days after the shooting, President McKinley succumbed to his injuries, making him the third U.S. president to be assassinated. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt, who was vacationing in the Adirondacks, hurried to Buffalo and was sworn in as the 26th President of the United States.

Who was Leon Czolgosz, and what motivated him to commit such a heinous act? Born in 1873 in Detroit, Michigan, Czolgosz was the son of Polish immigrants. His early life was marked by hardship and instability. After moving frequently and facing the death of his mother when he was just 10, Czolgosz's disillusionment with society grew. He worked various jobs, including at a steel mill, where he witnessed labor strikes and violent clashes between workers and management. This environment of economic disparity and social upheaval shaped his worldview.

By the late 1890s, Czolgosz had become an anarchist, believing that the existing government structure perpetuated inequality and injustice. He was inspired by other anarchist acts, such as the assassination of King Umberto I of Italy in 1900, and was further influenced by anarchist speakers like Emma Goldman, whom he sought out for guidance. Although many within the anarchist community found him suspicious and even warned of his behavior, Czolgosz persisted in his belief that drastic action was needed to shake the foundations of the government.

Following McKinley’s assassination, Czolgosz was swiftly put on trial. His case was prosecuted with remarkable speed, and despite being assigned a legal defense, Czolgosz remained uncooperative, refusing to speak to his attorneys or mount any kind of defense. After a trial that lasted only a few days, he was found guilty of first-degree murder. On October 29, 1901, just seven weeks after the assassination, Czolgosz was executed in the electric chair at Auburn Prison in New York. His last words reflected his radical beliefs: "I killed the President because he was the enemy of the good people—the good working people."

The assassination of President McKinley had significant repercussions for the United States. It marked a turning point in American politics, propelling Theodore Roosevelt, a young and vigorous reformer, into the presidency. Roosevelt's tenure would become known for progressive reforms, regulatory measures, and a more assertive foreign policy stance. The event also led to a crackdown on anarchist movements across the country, with the government becoming increasingly vigilant about perceived threats to national security.

This tragic episode also raises questions about political violence and the measures societies take to address radical ideologies. The swift execution of Czolgosz, the destruction of his body to prevent any form of martyrdom, and the backlash against anarchist sympathizers underscore the tensions between justice, security, and civil liberties.

As we reflect on the assassination of William McKinley, we are reminded of the fragile nature of leadership and the profound impact that one individual can have on the course of history. The event is a somber reminder of the challenges that democratic societies face in maintaining stability and protecting their leaders from violence.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through history. We hope you'll tune in tomorrow for another enlightening episode of "This Day in American History." I'm Chuck Tanraty, signing off.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit longlives.substack.com