July 11, 1804. US vice president Aaron Burr shot and mortally wounded former secretary of the treasury (and primary author of The Federalist papers) Alexander Hamilton in a duel at Weehawken, New Jersey on this date. Hamilton had insulted Burr and refused to make a public apology. Hamilton died the next day.
Although Burr returned to Washington, DC, to execute his duties as vice president, the duel ended his political career.
Image from a painting by J. Mund. – Lord, John, LL.D. (1902). Beacon Lights of History. Vol. XI, “American Founders.” Public Domain.
