Hamilton Shot in Duel: Burr Kills Rival at Weehawken
Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton faced each other on a narrow ledge overlooking the Hudson River at Weehawken, New Jersey, on July 11, 1804. Hamilton, according to witnesses, raised his pistol and fired into the trees above Burr's head, either deliberately missing or shooting wild. Burr aimed and fired a single ball that pierced Hamilton's abdomen, shattered his liver, and lodged in his spine. Hamilton died the following afternoon at age 47 or 49 (his exact birth year is disputed). The duel killed the architect of America's financial system, the man who created the national bank, the Coast Guard, and the foundations of industrial capitalism. Burr was indicted for murder in two states.
July 11, 1804
222 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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