Aaron Burr–Alexander Hamilton Duel

The monument erected to Alexander Hamilton, located in Weehawken, New Jersey, has had many faces over the years. Due to protesters and vandalism, the monument was replaced several times. Over two hundred years ago, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr fought a duel over a remark that Burr accused Hamilton of making. Burr challenged Hamilton, and as a matter of honor, Hamilton accepted. Hamilton was born into poverty on the Caribbean Island of Nevis. He managed to become one of the most important figures in the government of the United States. Aaron Burr was born in Newark, New Jersey, to an aristocratic family. He too rose in the government and went on to become the Vice President of the United States. They had many things in common, yet they had different political views. On July 11, 1804, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr crossed the Hudson River from New York, and met on a plateau under the Palisades in Weehawken, New Jersey. The site is just about even with 42nd Street in New York. Many duels had been fought at this popular dueling ground. The exact location of the duel was destroyed in the late 1800�s when a railroad was built there. The property was owned by Captain James Deas, who lived at the top of the cliff. Hamilton was shot, and died the next day. He was 47 years old.Hamilton's death.