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The page below is generalized information about each assassin. To learn more about any individual, visit their subpage by interacting with the navigation bar above or by clicking the button under each assassin's name!
Content Advisory: This section of the website contains pictures of the various guns used to assassinate each president.
May 10, 1838 - April 26, 1865
44-caliber pistol, single-shot Deringer
John Wilkes Booth
John Wilkes Booth
Successfully assassinated Abraham Lincoln
on April 14, 1865
Believed that Lincoln had committed tyranny for his progressive actions in freeing slaves and destroying the Southern tradition and ideals.
Charles Guiteau
Charles Guiteau
Successfully assassinated James Garfield
on July 2, 1881
Believed that he had contributed significantly to the Republican Party and deserved a position in government.
.44 caliber Bulldog revolver
September 8, 1841 - June 30, 1882
May 5, 1873 - October 29, 1901
.32-caliber Iver Johnson "Safety Automatic" revolver
Leon Czolgosz
Leon Czolgosz
Successfully assassinated William McKinley
on September 6, 1901
Exhausted by the immigrant laborer life he had led, believed that the president was the enemy of the good people.
Giuseppe Zangara
Giuseppe Zangara
Attempted to assassinate Franklin D. Roosevelt
on February 15, 1933
As an immigrant, faced chronic pain and personal debts having been part of the working class. Believed higher powers were responsible for his misery.
.32-caliber US Revolver Company revolver
September 7, 1900 - March 20, 1933
January 30, 1930 - February 22, 1974
Delta Air Lines Flight 523, McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31
Samuel Byck
Samuel Byck
Attempted to assassinate Richard Nixon
on February 22, 1974
Had been frustrated by years and years of personal failure, and developed many parasocial relationships to public figures whom he could blame for those failures.
Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme
Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme
Attempted to assassinate Gerald Ford
on September 5, 1975
Believed that the world was tainted by politicians-- wanted to help the environment. Also involved in cultic activity, hoping to avenge her love Charles Manson.
Colt M1911 .45 cal. semi-automatic pistol
October 22, 1948 -
February 15, 1930 -
.38 caliber revolver
Sara Jane Moore
Sara Jane Moore
Attempted to assassinate Gerald Ford
on September 22, 1975
Had the intent to spark a violent revolution which she hoped would radicalize the United States public into changing their current democratic ways.
Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald
Successfully assassinated John F. Kennedy
on November 22, 1963
Theories suggest he had been fed up with JFK's capitalistic tendencies, and as a stark contributer to the Soviet Union, decided to take him out. Some say that he wished to receive some kind of historical recognition after being alienated his whole life.
Mannlicher-Carcano rifle
October 18, 1938 - November 24, 1963
May 29, 1955 -
Röhm RG-14 .22 Long Rifle blue steel revolver
John Hinckley Jr.
John Hinckley Jr.
Attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan
on March 30, 1981
Emulating his favorite film Taxi Driver, Hinckley was deluded and wanted to "save" his obsession Jodie Foster by proving he was worthy enough for her.
In addition to these individuals, there are many more attempted assassins who did not make it into the show. To learn more about some of them, see the button below!
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