Today in the Sobel Timeline: June 19

On June 19, 1851, Mexican President Pedro Hermión gave a speech before Congress defending his prosecution of the Rocky Mountain War, and pledging to continue "until we drive the last North American from our soil, and then we will march upon Burgoyne, and I will personally dictate peace terms to Gilpin and his jackals." However, after finishing his speech, Hermión was shot and killed by a disgruntled former member of the Presidential Guard named Emiliano Zangora. Zangora himself was shot and killed by the Congressional guard while attempting to flee the scene.