The assassination of President William McKinley occurred on September 6, 1901, during a public event at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, was attending a reception at the Temple of Music, where he was greeting the public.
As McKinley stood in a receiving line, shaking hands with attendees, he was approached by Leon Czolgosz, a 28-year-old anarchist who had been inspired by anarchist Emma Goldman and the assassination of King Umberto I of Italy the previous year. Czolgosz had concealed a .32 caliber revolver under a handkerchief in his right hand.
When it was Czolgosz's turn to meet the President, he extended his left hand as if to shake hands while firing two shots with his concealed weapon. The first bullet grazed McKinley's shoulder, while the second struck his abdomen, perforating his stomach, pancreas, and kidney before lodging in his back.
Despite his severe injuries, McKinley remained conscious and urged the crowd not to harm Czolgosz. The President was quickly taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery. Initial reports were optimistic, and it seemed McKinley might recover. However, gangrene set in around the wound sites, and his condition rapidly deteriorated.
President McKinley succumbed to his injuries on September 14, 1901, eight days after the shooting. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as the 26th President of the United States shortly after McKinley's death.
Leon Czolgosz was arrested immediately following the shooting. He showed no remorse and admitted his intent to kill McKinley as a protest against the government. Czolgosz was swiftly tried and convicted of murder. He was executed in the electric chair on October 29, 1901.
The assassination of McKinley had profound effects on the nation and led to significant changes in presidential security, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Secret Service's role in protecting the President.