when was garfield president

James A. Garfield was the 20th president of the United States, serving from March 4, 1881, until his assassination on September 19, 1881. He took office after winning the 1880 election as a Republican, with Chester A. Arthur as his vice president. Garfield’s presidency was brief, lasting about seven months, making his tenure one of the shortest in U.S. history. He died at age 49 as a result of an assassination attempt earlier in 1881.