Broderick–Terry duel facts for kids
The Broderick–Terry duel was a famous fight between two important people in California. It happened on September 13, 1859. This event is sometimes called "the last big American duel."
A duel was a formal fight, usually with pistols or swords, to settle a serious argument. In this duel, David C. Broderick, a U.S. Senator from California, fought against David S. Terry. Terry used to be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California.
These two men were once friends and worked together in the Democratic Party. However, they had very different ideas about an important issue: slavery. Broderick was an abolitionist, meaning he wanted to end slavery. Terry supported slavery. Their strong disagreements led to a challenge to duel. The fight happened in a small valley near Lake Merced in San Francisco.
After this duel, many people and laws started to turn against dueling. Today, the place where the duel happened is a special California Historical Landmark.
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What Was the Broderick–Terry Duel?
This duel was a serious event that ended with one person's death. It showed how strong feelings were about slavery in the United States before the Civil War. Even though dueling was a tradition, this event helped change public opinion. People started to see dueling as a dangerous and old-fashioned way to solve problems.
Why Did Broderick and Terry Duel?
Broderick and Terry were both powerful politicians. They were part of the same political party, but they had very different views on slavery. Their disagreements grew into a bitter rivalry. This led to Terry challenging Broderick to a duel. Duels were a way for men to defend their honor.
Where Did the Duel Happen?
The duel took place in a ravine (a narrow valley) near Lake Merced in San Francisco. This area was chosen because it was a quiet, private spot. The location is now a recognized historical site.
Remembering the Duel Site
The place where the duel happened is now a protected historical site. On June 1, 1932, it became California Registered Historical Landmark number 19. Later, in 1949, a special marker was put up. This marker helps people find the trail that leads to the exact duel spot.
Markers at the Site
The marker was put there by several groups, including the California Centennial Commission. At the duel site itself, there are two stone obelisks. An obelisk is a tall, narrow stone pillar. Each obelisk has the name of one of the duelists carved into it. They show exactly where Broderick and Terry stood, about 10 yards apart.
The landmark and duel site is located at 1100 Lake Merced Boulevard, San Francisco, CA, 94015.
Laws Against Dueling
After this time, California passed laws to stop dueling. These laws made the punishment even worse if someone died in a duel. This showed that society was moving away from accepting such fights.
The Duel's Pistols
Many years later, on November 25, 1998, the actual pistols used in the duel were sold. They were sold at an auction in San Francisco for $34,500. This shows how important this historical event still is.
