Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr was an American politician and Revolutionary war hero. He was one of the founding members of the Democratic-Republican Party and served as a U.S. Senator from 1791-1797.

Burr was a candidate for President in 1800. He tied Thomas Jefferson with 73 electoral votes, which sent the election to the U.S. House of Representatives for a decision. Jefferson was elected President by the House, and Burr was elected to serve as his Vice President.

• February 6, 1756: Born

• 1775 - 1779: Serves in Continental Army during Revolutionary War

• 1789 - 1790: Serves as Attorney General of New York

• 1791 - 1797: Serves as U.S. Senator from New York

• 1800: Ties Jefferson for Presidency

• 1801 - 1805: Serves as Vice President under Jefferson

• 1804: Duel with Hamilton

• 1807: Tried and acquitted for treason

• 1812 - 1836: Practices law in New York

• September 14, 1836: Dies

In 1804, Burr famously challenged longtime political rival Alexander Hamilton to a duel. Hamilton was mortally wounded during the duel, and Burr was indicted for murder in both New York and New Jersey as a result. The charges were eventually dismissed, but Burr's political career had come to an end.

Burr journeyed West following the end of his term as Vice President in 1805. It was during this time that Burr was accused of treason for conspiring to steal lands acquired during the Louisiana Purchase and crown himself a King or Emperor. While historians still debate exactly what happened, Burr did form a regiment of at least 200 men. He was arrested and tried for treason in 1807, but was acquitted. Following a self-imposed exile to Europe, Burr returned to New York City to practice law until his death in 1836.

• 1756: February 6, born in Newark, N.J.

• 1772: graduated from Princeton University

• 1775-1779: Served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War

• 1782-1788: Admitted to the Bar, practices law in Albany, N.Y. and New York City

• 1789-1790: Attorney general of New York

• 1791-1797: United States Senator from New York

• 1800: In the presidential election, ties the electoral vote with Thomas Jefferson

• 1801: February 17, the House of Representatives elects Jefferson President, and Burr Vice President

• 1801-1805: Serves as Vice President under Thomas Jefferson

• 1804: Challenged and mortally wounded Alexander Hamilton in a duel

• 1807: Tried and aqcuitted for treason

• 1808-1812: Travels throughout Europe

• 1812-1836: Practices law in New York

• 1836: September 14, died at home in New York - buried with honors in Princeton, N.J.

• YouTube: Got Milk?: "Who shot Alexander Hamilton?" (Time: 0:59)

• Vice Presidents.com: Aaron Burr cartoon

• The New Yorker: Reenactment: Burr vs. Hamilton (2004)

• YouTube: Murder and Conspiracy, the Curious Career of Aaron Burr (Time: 6:58)

• YouTube: The Life and Times of Aaron Burr (Time: 7:27)

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