New York historian Valerie Paley says Burr heard about Hamilton’s strong comments. He was offended.

“He called him something like despicable. It hinged on a word, one word, and a word as simple as ‘despicable.’”

Burr asked Hamilton to admit or deny the comments. Hamilton refused. The two men exchanged more notes. Burr was not satisfied with Hamilton's answers. He believed Hamilton had attacked his honor. Burr demanded a duel.

A duel is a fight, usually with guns. Valerie Paley says in those days, gentlemen often used duels to settle rivalries and defend their honor.

“So, it wasn’t so much these men dueled to kill. They would purposely miss their shots, and then the air would be cleared.”

Hamilton opposed duels. Yet he agreed to fight Burr on July 11, 1804.

The two men met at Weehawken, New Jersey, just across the Hudson River from New York City. The duel would take place by the water's edge, at the bottom of a high rock wall.

The guns were loaded. Burr and Hamilton took their places. One of Hamilton's friends explained the rules. "Are you ready, gentlemen?" he asked. Both answered "yes." There was a moment of silence. He gave the signal. Burr and Hamilton raised their guns. Two shots split the air.

Hamilton raised up on his toes, then fell to the ground. Burr remained standing. He looked at Hamilton with regret, then left. Hamilton died the next day. He was not yet 50. Valerie Paley says Hamilton’s story is almost like a television or newspaper drama.