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Today in History: Senator Huey Long shot dies two days later

9/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On September 8 1935, Senator Huey Long, the former Louisiana governor known as “the Kingfish,” was shot inside the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. The attack left him mortally wounded; he died two days later, ending a populist career that had threatened a 1936 presidential challenge to Franklin D. Roosevelt.

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Story summary

On September 8 1935, Senator Huey Long, the former Louisiana governor known as “the Kingfish,” was shot inside the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. The attack left him mortally wounded; he died two days later, ending a populist career that had threatened a 1936 presidential challenge to Franklin D. Roosevelt.