The twenty-eight films of this collection are actuality motion
pictures from the Paper Print Collection of the Library of Congress.
They include footage of President William McKinley at his second
inauguration; of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York;
of President McKinley at the Pan-American Exposition; and of President
McKinley's funeral.
The Pan-American Exposition, staged in Buffalo, New York, presented
in microcosm all of the trends, developments, innovations, and attitudes
of the McKinley years. The great and colorful buildings along the
Grand Canal, built in ersatz Spanish colonial style, symbolized
American suzerainty over the hemisphere. The amazing Electric Tower
announced to the world the nation's technical superiority.
The exposition was opened in the spring of 1901 by the new vice
president, Theodore Roosevelt. President McKinley had been scheduled
to do the honors but had to cancel because of his wife's illness.
It was not until September that the McKinleys were able to inspect
the exposition grounds. On the morning of September 5th, the president
and first lady crossed the Triumphal Causeway and entered the fair
grounds in an open carriage preceded by troops, military bands,
and a mounted honor guard.
The president gave a major address on trade policy to a large crowd
gathered on the Esplanade. Afterwards he toured the exhibits, complimenting
all. The following day, the presidential party took an excursion
by rail to see Niagara Falls. Upon returning to Buffalo, McKinley
returned to the exposition grounds for a reception in the Music
Building. The president had been standing in a receiving line greeting
the public for seven minutes when an anarchist named Leon Czolgosz
shot McKinley twice at point blank range. Despite early hopes that
he might survive the attack, a week later the president died, whispering
the words of his favorite hymn, "Nearer my God to Thee, Nearer
to Thee."
This silent film collection runs 1 hour 9 minutes.
Here are some sample clips from the DVD
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