Assassination of James A. Garfield facts for kids
The assassination of President James A. Garfield happened in Washington, D.C. on July 2, 1881. Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau. This happened at about 9:30 am, less than four months after Garfield became the 20th President of the United States.
Guiteau shot President Garfield because he felt he was not given enough credit for Garfield's election win in 1880. Guiteau had written a speech for Garfield, but it was never used. James G. Blaine, who was a powerful leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, was with President Garfield when he was shot.
President Garfield's Death
President Garfield died eleven weeks later, on September 19, 1881. He was 49 years old. He was the second of four U.S. Presidents to be assassinated. The first was Abraham Lincoln. Later, William McKinley and John F. Kennedy were also assassinated.
Garfield's Vice President, Chester A. Arthur, became the next President. On June 2, 1882, Charles Guiteau was executed for his crime. He was 40 years old.
President Garfield lived the longest after being shot compared to the other assassinated presidents. Lincoln and Kennedy died less than a day after their shootings. McKinley died a week later.
Images for kids
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James A. Garfield
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Charles J. Guiteau, Garfield's assassin
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The British Bulldog revolver that Guiteau used to shoot Garfield
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1881 political cartoon of Guiteau; the caption for the cartoon read "Model Office Seeker"
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Doctors discuss Garfield's wounds
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Path of the bullet that wounded Garfield
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Garfield's casket lying in state in the United States House of Representatives chamber, where he had been a member prior to becoming president
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Silk mourning ribbon
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The James A. Garfield Monument on the United States Capitol grounds
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See also
In Spanish: Asesinato de James A. Garfield para niños
