Guiseppe
Zangara was
born in Ferruzzano, Italy, on 7th September,
1900. His mother died when he was two years old and his father remarried.
At the age of six he started school but after two months he was forced
to go to work to help improve the family income.
Zangara did a variety of menial jobs in Italy emigrating with his
uncle to the United States in 1923. He secured a job as a bricklayer
in New Jersey before moving to California where he hoped the warmer
climate would improve his health. Zangara then settled in
Miami, Florida, where he worked as a brick layer.
Zangara found it very difficult to find work during the Depression
and developed a strong hatred of President Herbert
Hoover, who he blamed for his problems. When Franklin
D. Roosevelt defeated Hoover in 1932, Zangara turned his anger
towards the new president.
On 13th February, 1933, Zangara read that Roosevelt was to visit Bayfront
Park on 15th February, 1933. Zangara bought a .32 caliber pistol and
joined the crowd. As he was only 5 feet tall, Zangara had difficulty
seeing his proposed victim. He climbed on top of an old unstable wooden
chair and started to fire. One bullet hit Anton
Cermak the major of Chicago who was
with Roosevelt. Four members of the crowd were also injured but none
of the bullets hit the president. Roosevelt comforted Cermak who had
suffered an abdominal wound. On the way to the hospital Cermak told
Roosevelt, "I'm glad it was me and not you, Mr. President."
Zangara was put on trial and sentenced to 84 years for injuring bystanders
during his attempt to kill Franklin D.
Roosevelt. When Cermak died on 3rd March, Zangara was charged
with murder and after being found guilty was sentenced to death in
the electric chair at the Florida State Penitentiary. When he heard
his sentence he yelled at the judge, "You give me electric chair.
I no afraid of that chair! You're one of capitalists. You is crook
man too. Put me in electric chair. I no care!" Guiseppe Zangara
was executed on 20th March, 1933.
Joseph Zangara, after his arrest in Miami, Florida.
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