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Leon Trotsky assassinated in 1940...
Leon Trotsky assassinated in 1940...
Item # 564944
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August 21, 1940
CLEVELAND NEWS, Cleveland, Ohio, August 21, 1940
* Leon Trotsky shot
* Soviet Union
* Marxist Theorist
This 20 page newspaper has a one column photo on the front page with caption: "Trotsky Near Death After Pickax Attack". (He would die on this day)
Other news of the day throughout. Light browning with minor margin wear, otherwise in good condition.
wikipedia notes: On August 20, 1940, Trotsky was successfully attacked in his home by a NKVD agent, Ramn Mercader, who drove the pick of an ice axe into Trotsky's skull.
The blow was poorly delivered, however, and failed to kill Trotsky instantly, as Mercader had intended. Witnesses stated that Trotsky spat on Mercader and began struggling fiercely with him. Hearing the commotion, Trotsky's bodyguards burst into the room and nearly killed Mercader, but Trotsky stopped them, shouting, "Do not kill him! This man has a story to tell." Trotsky was taken to a hospital, operated on, and survived for more than a day, dying at the age of 60 on August 21, 1940. Mercader later testified at his trial:
I laid my raincoat on the table in such a way as to be able to remove the ice axe which was in the pocket. I decided not to miss the wonderful opportunity that presented itself. The moment Trotsky began reading the article, he gave me my chance; I took out the ice axe from the raincoat, gripped it in my hand and, with my eyes closed, dealt him a terrible blow on the head.[citation needed]
According to James P. Cannon, the secretary of the Socialist Workers Party (USA), Trotsky's last words were "I will not survive this attack. Stalin has finally accomplished the task he attempted unsuccessfully before.
Category: The 20th Century
No Longer Available
