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Gubernatorial candidate William Goebel is assassinated in Frankfort, Kentucky

William Justus Goebel (January 4, 1856 – February 3, 1900) was an American Democratic politician who served as the 34th governor of Kentucky for four days, having been sworn in on his deathbed a day...

William Justus Goebel (January 4, 1856 – February 3, 1900) was an American Democratic politician who served as the 34th governor of Kentucky for four days, having been sworn in on his deathbed a day after being shot by an assassin. Goebel is the only sitting state governor in United States history to die by assassination.

Goebel was born to Wilhelm and Augusta Goebel, German immigrants from Hanover. He studied at the Hollingsworth Business College in the mid-1870s and became an apprentice at John W. Stevenson's law firm. While Goebel lacked the social qualities like public speaking that are common with politicians, various authors referred to him as an intellectual man.

Historical Significance

William Justus Goebel (January 4, 1856 – February 3, 1900) was an American Democratic politician who served as the 34th governor of Kentucky for four days, having been sworn in on his deathbed a day after being shot by an assassin.

Events Before

  1. The government of Cuba is handed over to the US from Spanish rule; American occupation continues until 1902

    The Military Government of the Philippine Islands (Spanish: Gobierno militar de los Estados Unidos en las Islas Filipinas; Tagalog: Pamahalaang Militar ng Estados Unidos sa Kapuluang Pilipinas) was a...

  2. Rubber heel for boots or shoes is patented by American Humphrey O'Sullivan

    Rubber heel for boots or shoes is patented by American Humphrey O'Sullivan

  3. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is patented by Felix Hoffmann at the German company Bayer

    Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), an organic compound that does not occur in nature, was first synthesised in 1899.

  4. W. G. Grace's last day of Test cricket at age 50 years and 320 days

    W. G. Grace's last day of Test cricket at age 50 years and 320 days

  5. American businessman James Cash Penney (24) weds Bertha Alva Hess (29ish), until her death in 1910

    American businessman James Cash Penney (24) weds Bertha Alva Hess (29ish), until her death in 1910

Events After

  1. The Commonwealth of Australia is formed when the British (Imperial) Parliament Act and the Commonwealth of Australia Con

    The Commonwealth of Australia is formed when the British (Imperial) Parliament Act and the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 come into effect

  2. Tennis champ Charlotte Cooper (30) weds solicitor Alfred Sterry

    Tennis champ Charlotte Cooper (30) weds solicitor Alfred Sterry

  3. Queen Victoria's funeral takes place in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, England

    Windsor Castle is a royal residence at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, about 25 miles (40 km) west of central London.

  4. Queen Wilhelmina marries Prince Heinrich von Mecklenburg-Schwerin

    Queen Victoria, the British monarch from 1837 to 1901, and Prince Albert (her husband from 1840 until his death in 1861) had 9 children, 42 grandchildren, and 87 great-grandchildren.

  5. Edmund Barton is elected Prime Minister in Australia's first federal election

    Sir Edmund "Toby" Barton (18 January 1849 – 7 January 1920) was an Australian politician, barrister and jurist who served as the first prime minister of Australia from 1901 to 1903.

More from the 1900s

First Powered Flight by the Wright Brothers

Orville and Wilbur Wright make the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

science technology

Conference of 23 industrial trade unionists in Chicago, Illinois, issues the Industrial Union Manifesto, calling for a c

Conference of 23 industrial trade unionists in Chicago, Illinois, issues the Industrial Union Manifesto, calling for a convention in Chicago in June and laying the groundwork for the formation of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)

death

James Longstreet dies

James Longstreet, Confederate confederate army general, known for confederate army general, died on 1904-01-02.

1st Rose Bowl, Tournament Park, Pasadena, California: Michigan defeats Stanford 49-0; MVP: Michigan fullback Neil Snow

1st Rose Bowl, Tournament Park, Pasadena, California: Michigan defeats Stanford 49-0; MVP: Michigan fullback Neil Snow

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 3, 1900?
William Justus Goebel (January 4, 1856 – February 3, 1900) was an American Democratic politician who served as the 34th governor of Kentucky for four days, having been sworn in on his deathbed a day after being shot by an assassin. Goebel is the only sitting state governor in United States history to die by assassination. Goebel was born to Wilhelm and Augusta Goebel, German immigrants from Hanover.
Why is Gubernatorial candidate William Goebel is assassinated in Frankfort, Kentucky significant?
William Justus Goebel (January 4, 1856 – February 3, 1900) was an American Democratic politician who served as the 34th governor of Kentucky for four days, having been sworn in on his deathbed a day after being shot by an assassin.

Explore More

February 3 in HistoryYear 1900