On This Day: President escapes assassination attempt

An unemployed house painter, Richard Lawrence, approached the President On This Day as he left a congressional funeral that was being held in the House chamber at the Capitol. As Lawrence neared President Andrew Jackson, he pulled out his firearm and shot at the President. The gun misfired though giving President Jackson beat the man with his walking club. Lawrence had a second firearm on him but it too misfired. President Jackson, then 67, believed Lawrence was acting on behalf of his political foes. The year was 1835.

Jackson served as President from 4 March 1829 to 4 March 1837. He was the Seventh President of our nation.

Photo: Wikipedia / Public Domain

On This Day is a prompt I started this month to further explore historical events.

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