Assassination of President Garfield
President James A. Garfield was shot on July 2, 1881, at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. He died on September 19, 1881, from infections related to his wounds. His assassination remains one of the most studied cases of presidential injury and medical treatment in U.S. history.
Shooter and Motive
Charles J. Guiteau shot Garfield after failing to secure a government appointment. Guiteau believed he was owed a diplomatic post for supporting Garfield's campaign. He was motivated by personal disappointment and a sense of political entitlement rather than broader conspiracy.
Aftermath and Legacy
Garfield's death highlighted problems with medical practices of the era and contributed to reforms in civil service appointments. Guiteau was convicted and executed in 1882. The case influenced public debate on government reform and presidential security, and it remains a key event in late 19th-century American history. Read more about Garfield's presidency and legacy at The White House Historical Association.
