Difference between assassination and murder?

The difference between the word "assassination" and the word "murder" is as follows:

The word "assassination" implies the killing, or murder, of a person who is in the public eye, usually a political leader. For example, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.

Assassination attempts are failed attempts to kill, or murder, a political leader. For example, there was a failed attempt to assassinate President Ronald Reagan. You can read President Ronald Reagan's own interesting description of this well-known failed assassination attempt at:
http://www.ronaldreagan.com/march30.html

You don't normally hear the word "assassination" being used when describing the killing of a non-political leader or of an animal. In these cases, the word "murder" would be used instead.

Read my related published article on http://www.conservativewordsmith.com:

http://www.conservativewordsmith.com/2010/11/jfkkennedy-assassination- mourned-by.html

Conservative Wordsmith ? Susan Baldwin wrote this answer especially for you, and appreciates the opportunity to answer your special WebAnswers question.

This answer was edited by Wordsmith 480 days ago.

Reason: added a related link