On July 11, 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr shot and killed Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton in a duel (present day equivalent of Joe Biden killing Timothy Geithner).  The duel took place in New Jersey, because New York had outlawed dueling.  The bitter politicians arrived at the set location on separate boats.  Measures were taken so all witnesses could deny any wrong doing.  For example, the guns were concealed so all witnesses could legally claim that they saw no weapons.  Also during the actual duel, all other people present turned their backs so they also could legally declare that they saw no gun fire.  Everyone was very literal. During the duel itself, Hamilton took the first shot.  But he shot up in the air, possibly “throwing away his fire” as a sign of aborting the duel with honor.  Then, Burr shot Hamilton in the groin, as a sign of wanting to shoot Hamilton in the groin.