Jan. 29 (1843)

     Jan. 29 (1843)—William McKinley, twenty-fifth President of the United States, born at Niles, Ohio, year 1843. Nominated for President by the Republican party and elected—electoral vote (45 States): McKinley, 271; W. J. Bryan (Democrat), 176. Inaugurated March 4, 1897. Renominated and re-elected—electoral vote (45 States): McKinley, 292; W. J. Bryan (Dem.), 155—second inauguration March 4, 1901. The Pan-American Exposition was opened at Buffalo, N. Y., May 1, 1901 and remained open until Nov. 1. On September 5, President McKinley attended the exposition and delivered to [14][15] many thousands of visitors an address that came to be regarded as the greatest speech of his career, in which he outlined the future progressive policies of the nation. Next day, Friday, September 6, he held a public reception in the Temple of Music of the Exposition and shook hands with all who came. In the reception line was Leon Czolgosz, a so-called Anarchist, who had a handkerchief wrapped around his right hand, seemingly to protect a wound, but in reality to conceal a revolver which he held. When Czolgosz, in his turn, reached the President, at a distance of three feet he fired two shots to assassinate Mr. McKinley. One of the bullets penetrated the stomach and lodged in the muscles of the back, and from this wound, he died, on Sept. 14, at the home of John G. Milburn in Buffalo. His last words were, “It is God’s way. His will be done, not ours.” He was buried at Canton, Ohio, his home city. His murderer was tried, convicted and electrocuted at Auburn, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1901. Aside from the assassination, President McKinley will have a prominent place in American history because of the Spanish War which was waged during his first administration; also because of the extraordinary liking for him shown by the great mass of the nation. Perhaps he was the most popular President since Washington. Shortly after his death, an organization was formed to perpetuate his memory. It was planned to celebrate his birthday, each year, by wearing a pink carnation, and January 29 was named “Carnation Day.” It is purely an unofficial anniversary, which is observed quietly by many in all parts of the country.
     The chief events of President McKinley’s administration were the annexation of Hawaii (1898), the Spanish-American War and the acquiring of the Philippines, Porto Rico, Wake and Guam (1898), the expedition under Gen. Chaffee in the Boxer Insurrection in China (1900), and the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo (1901).