Today in History—September 6: A Deadly World’s Fair

On September 6, 1901, a setting intended to showcase the thrill of a new century instead became the scene of a presidential assassination.

As U.S. Pres. William McKinley welcomed visitors to the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, excitement and optimism ran high. The sprawling fair celebrated global innovation in technology and commerce and the increasing influence of the United States.

The day prior, McKinley had delivered an address to a crowd of exposition-goers—what would become his final public speech.

Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.

SIGN UP

By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

That afternoon, the president, inside the exposition’s ornate Temple of Music, greeted members of the public, shaking hands and warmly inviting them to explore the fair. Among those waiting to meet the president was Leon Czolgosz, a 28-year-old anarchist who considered the government oppressive. His right hand, wrapped in a handkerchief and appearing as though injured, held a revolver.

Upon reaching McKinley, Czolgosz fired twice. One bullet caused a relatively minor wound, but at such close range, the second was a direct shot to the president’s abdomen. Members of the crowd immediately took Czolgosz down, disarming him and beating him so aggressively that police had to intervene to save his life.

McKinley initially seemed to pull through, and for several days reports of recovery were encouraging. Despite surgery, however, the bullet lodged inside his abdomen was not found, and his condition suddenly deteriorated. The wound became infected, giving rise to gangrene. McKinley died a little over a week later, on September 14.

Taking his place was the 42-year-old Vice Pres. Theodore Roosevelt. Thrust into the White House, Roosevelt found himself the youngest person in the country’s history to serve as president.

Czolgosz, having been convicted of murder, was executed in the electric chair within two months of the incident.

There were other far-reaching consequences of the killing. McKinley’s assassination marked the third for a U.S. president in 36 years, and it prompted drastic changes in presidential security. In particular, the Secret Service took charge of protecting the president, ultimately transforming the presidency into something more like the closely guarded office we know today.

Famous Birthdays

1860: Jane Addams—American social reformer

1877: Buddy Bolden—American cornetist and one of the founding fathers of jazz

1943: Roger Waters—British musician and songwriter, former songwriter and bassist of Pink Floyd

1963: Geert Wilders—Dutch politician