Future President McKinley, aged 15

William McKinley, born on January 29, 1843, in Niles, Ohio, was the 25th President of the United States, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. McKinley came from a humble background and served in the Union Army during the Civil War, where he rose to the rank of major. After the war, he pursued a career in law and eventually entered politics, serving as a congressman and then governor of Ohio.

McKinley's presidency is often remembered for its role in leading the U.S. into a new phase of economic growth and global influence. One of his most significant achievements was leading the country through the Spanish-American War in 1898, which resulted in the U.S. emerging as a colonial power. The war led to the acquisition of territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, marking the beginning of American imperialism.

Domestically, McKinley supported protective tariffs to boost American industry and worked to stabilize the economy following the Panic of 1893, which had caused a major economic depression. His policies helped lead the nation into a period of prosperity.

McKinley was re-elected in 1900, but his second term was tragically cut short. On September 6, 1901, while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, McKinley was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz. He died of his wounds on September 14, 1901, and was succeeded by his vice president, Theodore Roosevelt.

McKinley’s presidency is often viewed as a turning point in American history, with the nation expanding its influence on the global stage while continuing to grow economically and industrially.