August 21, 1940

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Leon Trotsky in hospital after fatal attack.

Police officers are shown in Mexico City exhibiting the short handled pickaxe used by the assailant of Trotsky.

On August 20, 1940, Leon Trotsky was attacked in his study by Ramón Mercader, a Spanish-born NKVD agent, who used an ice axe as a weapon. The blow to his head was bungled and failed to kill Trotsky instantly. Witnesses stated that Trotsky spat on Mercader and began struggling fiercely with him, which resulted in Mercader's hand being broken. Hearing the commotion, Trotsky's bodyguards burst into the room and nearly killed Mercader, but Trotsky stopped them, laboriously stating that the assassin should be made to answer questions. Trotsky was then taken to a hospital, operated on, and survived for more than a day, dying at the age of 60 on August 21, 1940 from exsanguination and shock.

Mercader later testified at his trial:
I laid my raincoat on the table in such a way as to be able to remove the ice axe which was in the pocket. I decided not to miss the wonderful opportunity that presented itself. The moment Trotsky began reading the article, he gave me my chance; I took out the ice axe from the raincoat, gripped it in my hand and, with my eyes closed, dealt him a terrible blow on the head.

Trotsky's last words were:
I will not survive this attack. Stalin has finally accomplished the task he attempted unsuccessfully before.