The Attempted Assassination of Alfred Dreyfus: Rare Original Chicago American Issue, 1908

This newspaper, like the Affair itself, resonates to this day as a reminder of the relentless fight against antisemitism and the strength required to combat it.

1894 – The Dreyfus Affair reveals the dark currents of antisemitism in Europe. Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish French artillery officer, was falsely accused and convicted of high treason—driven entirely by antisemitic prejudice. The trials, stretching until 1906, captured the world’s attention. Dreyfus was ultimately exonerated and awarded the Legion of Honor, yet antisemitic tensions in France persisted. Just two years later, in 1908, Dreyfus survived an assassination attempt.

On June 4, 1908, during the burial ceremony of Émile Zola in Paris, Louis Gregori, a journalist and outspoken antisemite, attempted to murder Dreyfus. Gregori declared his aim to prevent the honoring of “two traitors”—Dreyfus and Zola—and to reignite the Dreyfus controversy. Luckily Dreyfus escaped with only a minor injury to his hand (Gregori was acquitted in a rushed trial).

The Newspaper-

The Chicago American devoted an entire issue to this episode. Its front page featured a striking image of Dreyfus and a dramatic illustration of the attack, with the headline: “Dreyfus Shot During Zola’s Burial—The Man Who Brought About His Exoneration.” Inside, a detailed timeline of Dreyfus’s life culminated in “June 4, 1908: Shot by Gregori.” The paper reported that the shooting followed a night of anti-Jewish speeches. The back page showed an iconic photograph of Dreyfus receiving the Legion of Honor, alongside an in-depth article about Émile Zola.

This newspaper issue, like the Dreyfus Affair itself, resonates to this day as a reminder of the relentless fight against antisemitism and the strength needed to combat hatred.

Émile Zola-

Émile Zola, a prominent French writer and Jewish rights advocate, was instrumental in defending Dreyfus. His famous open letter, “J’accuse…!,” (I ACCUSE…!) exposed the injustices of the case, rallying public opinion and setting a powerful precedent for intellectuals speaking truth to power.