On July 12, 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr fatally shot his long-time political rival Alexander Hamilton. The two leaders never saw eye-to-eye, which led to this historic duel. Hamilton was the leader of the Federalist Party, having authored many Federalist dissertations. Aaron Burr, on the other hand, was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party and had more progressive policies. 

Their rivalry began in 1791 after Burr beat Hamilton’s father-in-law in a U.S. Senate Race. After the 1800 Presidential election, Hamilton made it public that he refused to recognize Burr as his Vice President. Following the 1804 election, Hamilton had allegedly made discriminatory remarks against Burr, for which he demanded an apology. Hamilton refused to apologize, leading to the pair writing heated letters to each other.

In the hopes of reinvigorating his stagnant political career, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel in Weehawken, New Jersey. Hamilton obliged, and on the day of the duel, it is believed he deliberately missed shooting Burr. Instead, his shot struck a tree above Burr’s head. Burr, however, did not miss. His bullet tore into Hamilton’s internal organs and shattered his spine, paralyzing him. Hamilton suffered for several hours and died the next day.

Burr was indicted for this incident, but he was never arrested for killing Hamilton.