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

[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.