January 30, 1835 – Assassination Attempt on President Andrew Jackson

On this day in history, an unemployed and probably insane person named Richard Lawrence made the first ever attempt to kill a sitting United States president.

President Andrew Jackson had traveled to the Capitol Building to attend a Congressional funeral, and as he was leaving, Lawrence drew a pistol from his pocket and fired at him. Only the cap fired, however. President Jackson charged his assailant with his cane. Meanwhile, Lawrence produced a second pistol and fired, but it too failed to work. Lawrence was tackled by onlookers and arrested.

Lawrence’s pistols were later tested and both worked. It was never determined why they both misfired during the assassination attempt. At trial, Lawrence, who claimed he was King Richard the III, was found not guilty by reason of insanity, and put in an asylum for life.