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Today in History: Jordan's King Abdullah I assassinated at Al-Aqsa Mosque

7/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 20 July 1951, Jordan’s first king, Abdullah I—who had ruled Transjordan since 1921 and become king of independent Jordan in 1946—was shot dead at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque. Attending Friday prayers and a eulogy for Lebanon’s late premier Riad Al Solh, he was hit three times in the head and chest, with his grandson Prince Hussein nearby.

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Story summary

On 20 July 1951, Jordan’s first king, Abdullah I—who had ruled Transjordan since 1921 and become king of independent Jordan in 1946—was shot dead at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque. Attending Friday prayers and a eulogy for Lebanon’s late premier Riad Al Solh, he was hit three times in the head and chest, with his grandson Prince Hussein nearby.