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Thank you. It's 9.15 a.m. on July 2, 1881, in Washington, D.C. A. Carriage containing the 20th President of the United States of America comes to a stop outside the 6th Street station.

49-year-old James A. Garfield steps out, closely followed by his Secretary of State, James Blaine.

Garfield straightens his jacket and top hat before making his way into the busy train station.

He nods to those who recognize him, but for the most part, he passes unnoticed.

He's just another passenger trying to escape the city's sweltering summer heat.

Garfield has only been president for four months, but the responsibility of the office

already weighs heavily on him.

He's tired, stressed, ready for a few days away from the Capitol.

Today he's planning on meeting his wife and daughter in Long Branch,

New Jersey. But he'll only get there if he hurries. Garfield's train is due to leave shortly,

and the strict railroad timetable means that they won't wait for even the president. So Garfield

and Secretary Blaine hustle into a busy waiting room, hoping to take a shortcut to the platform.

But when they're halfway through the crowd, a gunshot rings out,

and Garfield feels a searing pain in his shoulder.

He cries out, and then a second shot slams into his back.

Stumbling, he falls into the arms of Secretary Blaine.

As Blaine calls desperately for help, President Garfield collapses to the

ground, blood already soaking through his shirt.

...