Death by Lightning centers on the life and tragic death of James Garfield, the 20th President of the United States. What starts as a story of political success quickly descends into a saga of obsession, madness, and a crime that shocked the nation.
At the 1880 Republican National Convention, tensions ran high among delegates, requiring 36 ballots to select a nominee. An Ohio congressman and former farmer attended intending to back another candidate. However, his electrifying speech on stage won over the delegates, leading them to nominate him instead.
Within a few months, this initially hesitant politician was inaugurated as the 20th President of the United States, with Chester Arthur serving as his vice president.
James Garfield was elected as the 20th President of the United States in 1880.
Image courtesy: whitehousehistory.org
This show revisits Garfield’s unexpected rise and tragic assassination, revealing a pivotal episode in American history marked by political drama and profound consequences.
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