The United States in Our Own Times, 1898-1913 [excerpt]

     In September, 1901, President McKinley was assassinated while holding a reception in connection with the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo. His death, on September 14, was the signal for an unparalleled exhibition of feeling. Meetings were held all over the country to pay tribute to his [571][572] memory. At the moment of his funeral, business ceased and in many places people stood with bared heads during the time of his interment. In England, public meetings were also held as a mark of respect for his memory. Such a tribute had been paid to no one since the death of Washington, which had been noticed in France; but this was the first time that English people had shown such respect for an American.