On January 29, 1843, William McKinley came into the world in Niles, Ohio. As one of 9 children raised by two immigrant parents, he grew up in humble circumstances. To support his family, he took on a variety of jobs throughout his youth. After serving in the Civil War, McKinley launched what would become a remarkable political career, rising through the ranks to represent Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives. His fierce advocacy for protective tariffs helped establish him as a prominent figure within the Republican Party.
McKinley captured the presidency in 1896 by championing economic recovery and a return to the gold standard. His campaign stood out for its significant use of modern political techniques and mass media. On March 4, 1897, he took the oath of office as the 25th President of the United States. During his time in the White House, McKinley steered the nation through a period defined by economic prosperity, the Spanish-American War, and expansionist policies. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the last president to have served in the Civil War.
Tragedy struck on September 6, 1901, when an anarchist named Leon Czolgosz shot President William McKinley. He succumbed to his wounds on September 14, 1901, becoming the 3rd president of the United States to be killed by assassination. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt stepped into the role of president as McKinley's successor. The leadership McKinley provided during this transformative era left a lasting impact on American history.