Did You Know? Assassination Attempt on FDR

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt is probably best known for his New Deal plan to deal with the Great Depression, his leadership during World War II, and for overcoming his paralysis caused by polio. However, did you know that FDR also survived an assassination attempt in 1933?

On February 15, 1933, FDR had just sat down after giving a speech at the Bayfront Park in Miami, Florida when five shots rang out. Giuseppe Zangara, an Italian immigrant and unemployed bricklayer, had emptied his .32 caliber pistol while aiming the best he could at FDR while standing on a wobbly chair about 25 feet away. Although none of the shots hit FDR, Chicago's Mayor Anton Cermak was mortally hit in the stomach and four others received minor injuries.

In an interview with officials after the shooting, Zangara stated that he wanted to kill FDR because he blamed FDR and all rich people and capitalists for his chronic stomach pain. After Cermak died of his wounds on March 6, 1933 (19 days after the shooting), Zangara was charged with first-degree murder. Zangara pleaded guilty to the charge and was then sentenced to death. On March 20, 1933, Zangara died in the electric chair.