‘Honey, I forgot to duck’: the attempt to assassinate Ronald Reagan, 40 years on

The Republican narrowly escaped becoming the fifth US president to be assassinated - and there's been no closer call since

Few guests at the Washington Hilton, a vast hotel rendered in curving Brutalist concrete, notice the simple plaque tucked away near a lower entrance designed for VIPs.

It marks the spot where, 40 years ago today, President Ronald Reagan was shot and injured when would-be assassin John Hinckley fired six bullets in two seconds. White House press secretary James Brady, police officer Thomas Delahanty and secret service agent Tim McCarthy were also hit.