William McKinley

McKinley, a Republican, won the 1896 presidential election against Democrat William Jennings Bryan. The campaign focused on the gold standard versus free silver, with McKinley's support for the gold standard prevailing.

McKinley led the United States into the Spanish-American War after the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana harbor. The war resulted in a decisive U.S. victory, leading to the acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, and establishing the U.S. as a global power.

McKinley was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He died eight days later, making him the third U.S. president to be assassinated. His death led to the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt.