14 Political Assassinations That Almost Didn’t Happen
These 14 close calls nearly stopped major political assassinations from happening, and history might have taken a different turn if they had.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Throughout history, numerous political figures have faced assassination attempts that, had they succeeded, could have dramatically changed global events. This listicle explores 14 such incidents where fate, chance, or quick thinking prevented tragedy.
1. The July 20 Plot Against Hitler
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
In 1944, German officers attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler with a bomb at his Wolf’s Lair headquarters. The bomb detonated but failed to kill Hitler, leading to a brutal crackdown on the conspirators.
2. Nasser’s Narrow Escape
public on Wikimedia Commons
In 1954, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser survived an assassination attempt during a public speech. The assailant fired eight shots but missed, bolstering Nasser’s popularity and consolidating his power.
3. The Attempt on Reagan’s Life
Michael Evans on Wikimedia Commons
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside a Washington hotel. Reagan was seriously wounded but recovered, demonstrating resilience and earning public sympathy.
4. Pope John Paul II’s Survival
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
In 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot and critically wounded in St. Peter’s Square. He survived the attack and later forgave his assailant, showcasing a message of peace and reconciliation.
5. Andrew Jackson’s Duel with Destiny
John Wesley Jarvis on Wikimedia Commons
In 1835, President Andrew Jackson survived an assassination attempt when both of the assailant’s pistols misfired. Jackson reportedly attacked the would-be assassin with his cane.
6. Roosevelt’s Bulletproof Speech
Adam Cuerden on Wikimedia Commons
In 1912, Theodore Roosevelt was shot in the chest but survived because the bullet was slowed by a thick speech manuscript in his pocket. He proceeded to deliver his speech before seeking medical attention.
7. FDR’s Close Call
Vincenzo Laviosa on Wikimedia Commons
In 1933, President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Miami. The shooter missed Roosevelt but killed Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak.
8. Gerald Ford
David Hume Kennerly on Wikimedia Commons
In 1975, President Gerald Ford survived two separate assassination attempts within 17 days. Both assailants were women, and both attempts were thwarted without injury to the president.
9. Truman’s Blair House Attack
Greta Kempton on Wikimedia Commons
In 1950, President Harry S. Truman was targeted by Puerto Rican nationalists at Blair House. A gunfight ensued, resulting in the death of a White House police officer, but Truman remained unharmed.
10. De Gaulle’s Brush with Death
The National Archives UK on Wikimedia Commons
In 1962, French President Charles de Gaulle survived an assassination attempt when gunmen ambushed his car. De Gaulle’s vehicle was hit multiple times, but he escaped unscathed.
11. Thatcher’s Hotel Bombing
derivative work by Begoon on Wikimedia Commons
In 1984, the IRA bombed the Brighton hotel where Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was staying. She narrowly escaped injury, but five people were killed in the attack.
12. Indira Gandhi’s Early Threat
Reagan White House Photographs on Wikimedia Commons
Before her assassination in 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi survived earlier threats to her life, including multiple bomb threats and intelligence warnings. Despite these close calls, she refused to change her routine or hide from danger. Her boldness made her a powerful leader, but also left her vulnerable to the attack that finally took her life.
13. Bhutto’s First Brush With Death
iFaqeer on Wikimedia Commons
In 2007, Benazir Bhutto narrowly survived a suicide bombing that targeted her motorcade in Karachi. Over 130 people were killed in the attack, but she emerged physically unharmed. The incident was a chilling prelude to her assassination just two months later.
14. Lenin’s Near-Fatal Shooting
Pavel Zhukov on Wikimedia Commons
In 1918, Vladimir Lenin was shot twice by a political opponent after giving a speech to factory workers. Though he survived, the injuries permanently damaged his health. The attempt nearly ended the Russian Revolution’s most pivotal figure before the Soviet Union was fully formed.