19 Facts About Anton Cermak

Anton Joseph Cermak was an American politician who served as the 44th Mayor of Chicago from April 7,1931, until his death in 1933.

Anton Cermak was killed by Giuseppe Zangara, whose likely target was President-elect Franklin D Roosevelt, but Cermak was shot instead after a bystander hit the perpetrator with a purse.

Anton Joseph Cermak was born to a mining family in Kladno, Austria-Hungary, the son of Antonin Cermak and Katerina nee Frank.

Anton Cermak immigrated with his parents to the United States in 1874, and grew up in the town of Braidwood, Illinois, where he was educated before beginning to work full time while still a teenager.

Anton Cermak followed his father into coal mining, and labored at mines in Will and Grundy counties.

Anton Cermak began his political career as a Democratic Party precinct captain, and in 1902, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives.

In 1918, Anton Cermak unsuccessfully ran as the Democratic nominee for Cook County sheriff.

Anton Cermak narrowly lost to Republican nominee Charles W Peters.

Anton Cermak was elected in 1919 to again represent the 12th ward on the city council, and was re-elected in 1921.

Anton Cermak was elected president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1922, and resigned from the city council in order to assume office as county president on December 4.

Anton Cermak was elected the chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party in 1928.

Anton Cermak formed his political army from the non-Irish elements.

Walter Wright, the superintendent of parks and aviation for the city of Chicago, aided Anton Cermak in stepping into office.

Anton Cermak's victory finished Thompson as a political power, and largely ended the Republican Party's influence in Chicago; indeed, all the mayors of Chicago since 1931 have been members of the Democratic Party.

For nearly his entire administration, Anton Cermak had to deal with a major tax revolt.

Anton Cermak had to meet President-elect Roosevelt to "mend fences," and to request money to fund essential city services.

On February 15,1933, while shaking hands with President-elect Franklin D Roosevelt at Bayfront Park in Miami, Florida, Cermak was shot in the lung and mortally wounded by Giuseppe Zangara, who was attempting to assassinate Roosevelt.

Anton Cermak has written that aldermen Paddy Bauler and Charlie Weber informed him that relations between Cermak and Roosevelt were strained, because Cermak fought Roosevelt's nomination at the Democratic convention in Chicago.

Anton Cermak was interred in a mausoleum at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago.