The Death of President McKinley

William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, was at the height of his popularity when tragedy struck on September 14, 1901. His presidency had seen the country through a period of economic recovery and global expansion, cementing his place as a leader of an industrialized, imperial America. McKinley’s second term began with optimism, having guided the nation through the Spanish-American War and established the United States as a global power with territories stretching from Puerto Rico to the Philippines. But as he enjoyed the glow of his political success, dark forces lurked in the shadows.

On September 6, 1901, McKinley attended the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, a celebration of American innovation and culture. Thousands gathered to see the president, who remained immensely popular with the public. During his visit, McKinley greeted the masses at the Temple of Music, a building designed to symbolize harmony and progress. As he shook hands with well-wishers, a man approached with his hand wrapped in a bandage. This man was Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist who harbored deep resentment toward the government. Concealed beneath the bandage was a pistol.

Czolgosz fired two shots into McKinley’s abdomen at point-blank range. The president staggered back, but even in the chaos, his first thought was for his wife, Ida. “My wife… be careful how you tell her,” he instructed those around him, still embodying the calm dignity that had defined his presidency. Czolgosz was immediately subdued by the crowd, and McKinley was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors performed emergency surgery. At first, there was hope. McKinley appeared to rally in the days following the surgery, showing signs of recovery that lifted the spirits of the nation.

However, the optimism was short-lived. Unbeknownst to the doctors, infection had begun to set in. Gangrene spread through the wound, exacerbated by the limited medical knowledge and technology of the time. Antiseptic procedures were not yet fully understood, and McKinley’s body began to succumb to the infection. As his condition worsened, government officials and loved ones gathered by his bedside. McKinley remained stoic, never wavering in his acceptance of his fate. On the evening of September 13, he whispered his final words, “It is God’s way. His will be done.” In the early hours of September 14, 1901, William McKinley died. The official time of death was 2:15 a.m.

The news of McKinley’s death sent shockwaves through the country and across the globe. Americans mourned the loss of a beloved leader, one who had guided them through turbulent times and helped shape the nation’s path into the 20th century. The outpouring of grief was profound, with tributes pouring in from all corners of the world. In Washington, D.C., the entire government machinery came to a halt. Theodore Roosevelt, McKinley’s vice president, was hastily sworn in as the 26th president of the United States. The dynamic Roosevelt would go on to define an era of progressivism, yet McKinley’s death marked a clear turning point in American politics. The assassination of McKinley also intensified public concerns about the growing anarchist movement, leading to crackdowns on radicals and increased security measures for future presidents.

As for Czolgosz, his fate was sealed almost as quickly as McKinley’s. He was put on trial, found guilty, and executed in the electric chair just over a month later. His motives, rooted in anarchist beliefs, were largely dismissed by a public that saw him as nothing more than a madman. The legacy of McKinley’s assassination, however, had lasting effects. It prompted reforms in the Secret Service’s role in protecting the president, as well as a broader national dialogue on how to handle threats to public figures.

In the years that followed, McKinley’s legacy continued to evolve. His funeral was a grand affair, with tens of thousands lining the streets to pay their respects. He had been a man of his time, one who believed in the power of industrial growth, economic stability, and America’s emerging role on the global stage. Though his death came at the hands of an anarchist, it did not diminish his accomplishments nor the esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens.

The death of William McKinley was more than just the loss of a president. It was the moment America stood on the cusp of a new era, ushering in the progressive changes that would shape the nation for decades to come. Yet, in many ways, McKinley’s presidency laid the groundwork for that future, establishing the policies and international stature that Theodore Roosevelt would build upon. His calm acceptance of death and his unwavering sense of duty in those final days left a lasting imprint on the hearts of Americans, a reminder of the fragility of leadership and the unpredictable course of history.