Today in History: William McKinley
Today in History–September 06–the Library of Congress features President William McKinley, shot on this day in 1901 just six months after his second inauguration. President McKinley died eight days later, reportedly while singing his favorite hymn, “Nearer my God to Thee, Nearer to Thee“. Anarchist Leon Czolgosz is found guilty of assassinating the president and is executed less than two months later. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources related to the 25th president of the United States.
Primary source sets
- William McKinley 1897 inauguration items
- William McKinley 1901 inauguration items
- The Last Days of a President: Films of McKinley and the Pan-American Exposition (1901)
- William McKinley Papers
- William McKinley image set
- William McKinley political cartoons from Puck magazine
- William McKinley books & articles
- Portions of the last speech of President McKinley (audio reenactment)
Sheet music
- “Dad’s Old Silver Dollar Is Good Enough for Me“
- “The Farmer’s Dream: A Campaign Song”
- “Upon a Cross of Gold“
- “Democracy’s Lament“
- “For Right and Dear ‘Old Glory’“
- “McKinley’s Champion Protection March“
- “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere“
- “The Shooting of Our Presidents“
Selected printed ephemera
- Synopsis of the line of descent of President McKinley issued by Edward A. Claypool, a Chicago genealogist
- McKinley’s proclamation announcing a state of war with Spain on April 26, 1898.
- Proclamation by Aaron T. Bliss, Governor of Michigan, on the death of President McKinley, September 14, 1901.
Selected 19th-century magazine articles
- “The Value of Protection“ The North American Review Volume 150, Issue 403, June 1890
- “The McKinley Bill in Europe“ The North American Review Volume 151, Issue 406, September 1890
- “What Congress Has Done” The North American Review Volume 151, Issue 408 November 1890
- “Bryan or McKinley? The Present Duty of American Citizens“ The North American Review Volume 171, Issue 527, October 1900
- “Mr. McKinley as President” The Atlantic Monthly Volume 87, Issue 521, Mar 1901
Chronicling America historical newspaper collection
- McKinley election 1896
- McKinley-Roosevelt election 1900
- McKinley presidency (1897-1901)
- McKinley assassination 1901
- President McKinley front-page historical newspaper coverage
- More President McKinley historical newspaper coverage
More resources
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