Hamilton Burr Duel Heard Family People Burr's Eslpod 1101 Cn

Former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton and former Vice-President Aaron Burr fought in a famous "duel" in 1804, in what became one of the most well-known personal conflicts in U.S. history. A "duel" is a formal fight between two people at an "arranged" (planned in advance) time with agreed-upon rules and "weapons" (tools for fighting and killing, such as swords and guns).

Burr and Hamilton were political enemies and strongly disliked each other, and Hamilton wrote some "scathing" (very critical) "remarks" (comments; statements) about Burr when Burr was a candidate to be the governor of New York. Burr became very angry and "challenged Hamilton to a duel" (invited Hamilton to participate in a duel with him). Hamilton chose the location and the weapons.

On July 11, 1804, the men "rowed" (moved a boat by pushing "oars" (long sticks with a flat end)) against the water) across the Hudson River to New Jersey. They "took their positions" (stood in their spots) and the "witnesses" (people who heard and/or saw what happened) stated that they heard two "shots" (instances of a gun firing). Burr's bullet hit Hamilton in the "abdomen" (belly or stomach area). Many people believe that Hamilton's shot "missed" (did not hit) Burr "on purpose" (intentionally).

Hamilton died the next day. Burr was "charged with murder" (taken to a court of law under accusations of killing someone). The "trial" (when a lawsuit is heard in court) never happened, but the duel nevertheless ended Burr's "political career" (professional work in politics).