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Interesting US History
A Website Devoted to Interesting Events in U.S. History

 

 
 

 

ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY

May 22, 1807

Former Vice President of the United States, Aaron Burr is Indicted for Treason

On this day in 1807, our third Vice President (under President Thomas Jefferson) was indicted for treason by a grand jury for allegedly conspiring to capture New Orleans and build his own empire. He was acquitted of that charge in September, then tried again on a lesser charge to which he was also acquitted.

Aaron Burr was an important and well known figure in United States history, but he may be best known for killing Alexander Hamilton in the famous 1804 duel. Interestingly enough, with all the controversy surrounding Aaron Burr, what often gets lost is that he was ahead of his time in several aspects. Burr was not only anti-slavery but also believed in equal rights for women, both ideas that weren't particularly popular at the time.