Giuseppe Zangara was an Italian immigrant who gained infamy for his assassination attempt on then-president-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. Born in Italy in 1900, Zangara later moved to the United States in 1923 in search of employment. He settled in Paterson, New Jersey, and worked various odd jobs.
Zangara's defining moment came on February 15, 1933, when Roosevelt visited Miami, Florida, for a pre-inauguration event. Positioned within the crowd, Zangara opened fire on the President-elect with a handgun. However, due to his short stature and difficulty aiming, Zangara missed Roosevelt but succeeded in hitting five bystanders. Most severely injured was Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak, who later succumbed to his wounds.
Zangara was immediately apprehended and faced charges of attempted murder. During the trial, he claimed that his motivations were driven by anger towards wealthy individuals and his struggle with gastrointestinal pain, leading him to believe that taking out a political figure would solve his problems. Found guilty, Zangara was later sentenced to death.
While Zangara's assassination attempt failed and his actions were condemned, his act drew attention to the need for presidential protection and ultimately led to the creation of the Secret Service's Presidential Protective Division. Giuseppe Zangara remains a notable figure in American history, remembered for his failed attempt and the lasting impact it had on presidential security measures.
