You learn something new every day

[theatokos]

Now, American history isn't my forte. But I was a history major in college and I always did well in history in grammar and high school.

Why is it that until this morning I had never learned that there were two - not one, but two! - assassination attempts against President Gerald Ford? We learn the list of assassination attempts, their names and dates, in school, don't we? So why is this news to me? Were these attempts left out because no one cares about Ford? Because they were rather pathetic attempts (although the first was at point blank range by a Manson follower, even though there was no bullet in the gun)? Or might it be, and I hate to sound like a nagging ol' feminist here, because both attempts were made by women?

I also didn't know that President George HW Bush had an attempt made on his life in 1992 - and I was around for that one! Also by a woman.....

Did you know this?

Comments

[erinya.livejournal.com]

I had no idea.

That's fascinating. And odd. And oddly troubling.

[miss-december.livejournal.com]

Yep, I knew that. And it's not considered important because the attempts failed, so most people are unaware...

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

So is Hinckley important because he actually shot Reagan, even though Reagan was fine?

I'm glad somebody knew this. It just came out of left field to me!

[seagull42.livejournal.com]

Going by memory - Squeaky Fromme and Sara Jane Moore? A big deal was made of them at the time & I still remember the cover of Time magazine with a picture of Squeaky, all dressed in red.

Can't tell you why it seems to have faded from the public consciousness, though...

Is John Hinkley still remembered?

I don't remember the 1992 attempt on Bush, but at that time I wasn't paying a lot of attention, either... Interesting - couldn't find info on that one via a quick web search, either.

[seagull42.livejournal.com]

Oops - you were talking about Hinkley while I was writing my reply.

I wonder sometimes if Hinkley is remembered because of the Jodie Foster connection. Or, rather, because of the connection with someone from the entertainment media.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Hm. You're right about the names (I think). Yeah, it's just interesting to me what we are or are not taught. If I remember correctly there just wasn't much taught on the Ford presidency. And why I should know Hinckley's name is beyond me.

[teamrose.livejournal.com]

Come on now, what woman could actually kill a man? We only kill cheating lovers, adoh!

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Ha!

[(Anonymous)]

I THINK we know Hinckley because of his insanity defense...I bet without that we wouldn't know him either.

I DIDN"T know that about Pres. Ford. Fascinating. I know nothing about Pres Ford. Nada.

But, let me just say that after this week I love Pres. Carter MORE THAN EVER. Love him, love him! He may be old, white and male, but he's fabulous.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

What has made you love him more?

[fictional-emily.livejournal.com]

I think Squeaky Fromme and John Hinkley are on a par famousity-wise (while Reagan and Ford are not).
I learned about neither in a class but, probably, from PBS. Public school history for me never even made it to World War I chronologically.
But PBS, ah PBS. They air shows on presidents, on the Manson Family, on nuts who try to kill people. And they taught me to respect other people's imaginary wooly mammoths and how to paint happy trees.

(Oh, and Carter is the shit! Just like PBS.)

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Sadly, few people thought Carter was the shit at the time. The more I read about him the more I think he was really on to something!

[miss-ogyny.livejournal.com]

It's because NOBODY talks about FORD! It's a critisim I've long held with American History, they skip Ford go straight to Carter bashing then to the Glorious Presidency of Regan!

FUCKING PUBLIC HISTORY!

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

You hit the nail on the head!

Also, I'm home all day Thurs and Fri if you want to call.