Sudden Passing of a Popular President
On August 2, 1923, President Warren G. Harding died unexpectedly in San Francisco at 57. Initially, his death was attributed to a stroke, but conflicting reports and a lack of autopsy fueled widespread rumors. Harding’s widow, Florence, declined an autopsy, and his body was returned to Washington, D.C., for a state funeral before burial in his hometown of Marion, Ohio.
Whispers of Foul Play
With the Teapot Dome scandal beginning to surface, some speculated that Harding might have taken his own life, while others suspected murder by close associates. Florence Harding’s quick decision to burn her husband’s papers added to suspicions. Rumors later arose that she or his physicians might have poisoned him, though no evidence ever emerged to support these claims.
The Teapot Dome Scandal’s Impact
Months before Harding’s death, corruption involving his Secretary of the Interior, Albert B. Fall, and private oil leases became public. Though Harding was not directly implicated, the scandal marred his presidency, and some believed it contributed to his physical decline.
A Heart Attack, Revisited
Modern historians generally conclude that Harding likely died of a heart attack, a diagnosis complicated by the limited medical understanding of the 1920s. Despite the scandals, Harding’s death captured national attention and left lingering questions about his final days.
The Mysterious Death of President Warren G. Harding 🇺🇸
Sudden Passing of a Popular President
On August 2, 1923, President Warren G. Harding died unexpectedly in San Francisco at 57. Initially, his death was attributed to a stroke, but conflicting reports and a lack of autopsy… pic.twitter.com/dE1jWO0QMw— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) November 2, 2024