On this day - 20 August
Historical items of interest as featured in the papers of the day.
Leon Trotsky assassination
On August 20th 1940 Leon Trotsky was attacked in his study in Mexico City by Ramón Mercader using an ice axe. The axe broke his skull and penetrated 7 cm into his brain but didn't kill him. Trotsky survived and his bodyguards heard the commotion and broke in to stop the assassin. He was taken to hospital but ultimately died on August 21st 1940 due to shock and blood loss from the attack.
Mercader was convicted of murder and spent 20 years. Upon his release he returned to the USSR and was hailed as a hero for the act.
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