Today in History

July 12, 1804

Alexander Hamilton Dies

Alexander Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. A prolific writer, he penned many of the Federalist Papers, long considered a primary source for interpretation of the US. Constitution. During his career, however, Hamilton made a number of powerful enemies. One of those, Aaron Burr, felt that Hamilton was instrumental in his failed bid for the Presidency against Thomas Jefferson. Burr became the Vice-President for one term. In the 1804 New York gubernatorial election, Hamilton again helped an opponent to defeat Burr. Enraged, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel, scheduled for July 11, 1804, along the Hudson River near Weehawken, New Jersey. Hamilton missed his shot, perhaps intentionally. Burr, however, hit Hamilton in the torso. Hamilton died on this day in 1804.

Interest in the life of Alexander Hamilton was recently revived with the smash success of the musical Hamilton created by and starring Lin-Manuel Miranda. The show previewed in February of 2015 and entered the Broadway stage in August of the same year. Hamilton swept the 2016 Tony awards and is currently still playing on Broadway.

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