January 30, 1835 – President Andrew Jackson became the first President to suffer an assassination attempt.  An unemployed house painter by the name of Richard Lawrence tried to shoot the 67-year-old Jackson at point-blank range beat the would be assassin with his cane As Lawrence pulled out his pistol and had tried to shoot, the gun misfired during the struggle.  Lawrence then went for his second pistol, which also misfired The President's aides eventually wrestled the attacker to the ground