Anton Cermak
Antonín Josef Čermák (May 9, 1873 – March 6, 1933) was an American politician of Czech origin. He was best known as the mayor of Chicago. He was mayor from 1931 until his assassination in 1933.
Anton Joseph Cermak | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 44th Mayor of Chicago | |
| In office April 7, 1931 – March 6, 1933 | |
| Preceded by | William Hale Thompson |
| Succeeded by | Frank J. Corr |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 9, 1873 Kladno, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary |
| Died | March 6, 1933 (aged 59) Miami, Florida, United States |
| Cause of death | Murder (gunshot wound) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Horejs Cermak |
| Children | 1 daughter |
Biography
Antonín Josef Čermák was born on May 9, 1873 in Kladno, Austria-Hungary. He was married to Mary Horejas until his death in 1933. They have one daughter, Helena.
Cermak was elected president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1922, chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party in 1928, and mayor of Chicago in 1931. In 1928 he ran for the United States Senate and was defeated by Republican Otis F. Glenn, receiving 46% of the vote.
His mayoral victory came in the wake of the Great Depression and the deep resentment many Chicagoans had of Prohibition and the increasing violence resulting from organized crime's control of Chicago, typified by the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
Death
Cermak was mortally shot while being at a Democratic Party convention for Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 15, 1933 that was supposed attempt to assassinate Roosevelt. He died 19 days later from injury he sustained. He was 59 years old. 4 other people were also shot but received their minor injuries.[1] Later doctors said Cermak would have lived if he had never had colitis.[2]
Aftermath
His only daughter, Helena married future Governor of Illinois Otto Kerner, Jr.
Anton Cermak Media
Anton Cermak's tomb at Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago.
Monument to Anton Cermak in the town in which he was born.
References
- ↑ "The shooting of Anton Cermak". Chicago Tribune.com. February 15, 1933. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
- ↑ Reveals Colitis Fatal to Cermak", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 31, 1933, p1
Other websites
Media related to Anton Cermak at Wikimedia Commons
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