This day in history:
The first assassination attempt on a sitting US President takes place as a Richard Lawrence tries unsuccessfully to kill Andrew Jackson.
After encountering Jackson outside of the Capitol building, the would-be assassin fired a pistol in his direction but the gun misfired. He then pulled out another one, which suffered the same fate.
Lawrence was quickly subdued by men standing nearby and while on the ground he was struck repeatedly by Jackson’s cane. Also present at the scene was Davy Crockett.
Strangely enough, the guns were later tested multiple times and each one fired perfectly.
January 30, 1835 - 177 years ago today.
