The Most Famous Assassinations in History Some assassinations have changed the world forever, altering political systems, triggering wars, and reshaping entire nations. From ancient Rome to the modern era, these shocking events continue to influence global history. Famous cases include the killing of Julius Caesar in 44 BC, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand which sparked World War I, the deaths of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy in the United States, the assassination of Mahatma