By the fall of 1963, President John F. Kennedy, a beacon of youthful optimism and progressive ideals, was already setting the stage for his 1964 re-election campaign. Despite not formally declaring his candidacy, the political landscape and his advisors strongly indicated his intention to run, fueled by a sense of confidence in his popular support and vision for America’s future. This period, however, would tragically culminate in the John F. Kennedy assassination, an event that shook the world and forever altered the course of American history.
In late September 1963, Kennedy embarked on a tour across nine Western states in under a week. Officially, the trip was designed to highlight his administration’s commitment to natural resources and conservation. Yet, it served a dual purpose, allowing JFK to test campaign themes resonating with the American public. Education, national security, and the pursuit of world peace emerged as key pillars of his prospective platform, themes he hoped would resonate with voters as he sought a second term.
A month later, President Kennedy continued his political engagements, addressing Democratic gatherings in Boston and Philadelphia. November 12 marked a pivotal moment as he convened the first significant political strategy session for the upcoming election year. In this meeting, Kennedy underscored the critical importance of securing victories in key states like Florida and Texas, outlining plans for imminent visits to both. Texas, in particular, was deemed crucial, setting the stage for the fateful trip that would become inextricably linked with the John F. Kennedy assassination.
Jacqueline Kennedy, the First Lady, decided to accompany the President on this Texas tour, marking her return to public life after the devastating loss of their infant son, Patrick, in August. On November 21, President and Mrs. Kennedy boarded Air Force One, commencing a two-day, five-city tour across the Lone Star State. This trip, intended to solidify Democratic support and project an image of unity, would tragically end in Dallas with the John F. Kennedy assassination.
President Kennedy was acutely aware of the internal strife within the Texas Democratic party, a division that posed a significant threat to his chances of winning the state in the 1964 election. A primary objective of his Texas visit was to bridge these divides and foster party unity. Furthermore, he recognized the presence of a vocal extremist element in Texas politics, contributing to a tense atmosphere, particularly in Dallas. Just a month prior, US Ambassador to the United Nations Adlai Stevenson had been physically assaulted in Dallas after delivering a speech. Despite these undercurrents of political tension and the potential for hostility, JFK seemed to embrace the challenge, eager to engage directly with the American people and navigate the complexities of the political arena. His decision to proceed with the Texas trip, despite the known risks, ultimately led him to Dallas, the city where the John F. Kennedy assassination would occur.
Their first stop was San Antonio, where they were greeted by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Governor John B. Connally, and Senator Ralph W. Yarborough. The welcoming party accompanied the President to Brooks Air Force Base for the dedication of the Aerospace Medical Health Center. Continuing to Houston, Kennedy addressed the League of United Latin American Citizens and spoke at a testimonial dinner for Congressman Albert Thomas, concluding the day in Fort Worth. These initial stops were part of a carefully orchestrated plan that tragically culminated in the events of the John F. Kennedy assassination.
Morning in Fort Worth
Friday, November 22nd, dawned with a light rain in Fort Worth. Despite the weather, a substantial crowd of several thousand people gathered in the parking lot outside the Texas Hotel, where the Kennedys had spent the night. A makeshift platform had been erected, and President Kennedy, foregoing any rain protection, emerged to deliver brief remarks. “There are no faint hearts in Fort Worth,” he declared, expressing his appreciation for their presence despite the weather. He then lightened the mood, adding, “Mrs. Kennedy is organizing herself. It takes longer, but, of course, she looks better than we do when she does it.” His speech then shifted to more serious themes, emphasizing the nation’s imperative to maintain military and space superiority, foster economic growth, and uphold its global leadership responsibilities.
The crowd’s enthusiastic response was palpable as President Kennedy reached out to shake hands, engaging with the smiling faces before him. This warm reception in Fort Worth stood in stark contrast to the tragic events that would unfold later that day in Dallas and become known as the John F. Kennedy assassination.
Back inside the hotel, President Kennedy addressed a breakfast meeting of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, focusing on the critical importance of military preparedness. “We are still the keystone in the arch of freedom,” he asserted, underscoring America’s role on the global stage. “We will continue to do…our duty, and the people of Texas will be in the lead.” These words, spoken just hours before his death, now carry a poignant weight in the narrative of the John F. Kennedy assassination.
On to Dallas
The presidential party departed the hotel and traveled by motorcade to Carswell Air Force Base for the short thirteen-minute flight to Dallas. Upon arrival at Love Field, President and Mrs. Kennedy disembarked and immediately approached a fence where a crowd of well-wishers had gathered. They spent several minutes shaking hands, engaging directly with the enthusiastic Dallas crowd.
The First Lady received a bouquet of red roses, which she carried with her as they proceeded to the waiting limousine. Governor John Connally and his wife, Nellie, were already seated in the open convertible as the Kennedys joined them, taking the seats behind. The plastic bubble top, typically used for inclement weather, was left off as the rain had stopped. Vice President and Mrs. Johnson followed in another car within the motorcade. This open-top limousine, intended to enhance public visibility, would become a chilling detail in the story of the John F. Kennedy assassination.
The motorcade departed the airport, embarking on a ten-mile route through downtown Dallas, en route to the Trade Mart where the President was scheduled to deliver a luncheon address. Little did anyone know, this route would lead directly to Dealey Plaza, the site of the John F. Kennedy assassination.
The Assassination
Large, enthusiastic crowds lined the streets, waving and cheering as the presidential motorcade passed. As the car turned off Main Street onto Elm Street at Dealey Plaza at approximately 12:30 p.m., the festive atmosphere shattered. As the motorcade passed the Texas School Book Depository, gunfire erupted, tearing through the midday air and marking the beginning of the John F. Kennedy assassination.
Bullets struck President Kennedy’s neck and head. He slumped forward and to his left, towards Mrs. Kennedy. Governor Connally, seated in front of him, was also struck, wounded in his back. The horrific scene unfolded in mere seconds, forever etching itself into the collective memory of a nation.
The limousine accelerated rapidly, speeding towards Parkland Memorial Hospital, just minutes away. Despite the urgent medical attention, there was little that could be done for the President. A Catholic priest was summoned to administer the last rites. At 1:00 p.m. John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead, the victim of the John F. Kennedy assassination. Governor Connally, though seriously wounded, would ultimately survive.
President Kennedy’s body was taken to Love Field and placed aboard Air Force One. Before the plane could depart, a somber Lyndon B. Johnson, his face etched with grief and the weight of responsibility, was sworn in as President of the United States. The oath of office was administered by US District Court Judge Sarah Hughes in the cramped confines of the presidential aircraft at 2:38 p.m. This impromptu ceremony, conducted in the immediate aftermath of the John F. Kennedy assassination, marked a somber transition of power amidst national tragedy.
Less than an hour prior, police had apprehended Lee Harvey Oswald, a recently hired employee at the Texas School Book Depository. He was arrested in connection with both the John F. Kennedy assassination and the fatal shooting, shortly after, of Patrolman J. D. Tippit on a Dallas street. Oswald became the prime suspect in the John F. Kennedy assassination, though his story would soon take another dramatic turn.
On Sunday morning, November 24th, Oswald was scheduled to be transferred from police headquarters to the county jail. As live television cameras broadcasted the event to a stunned nation, viewers witnessed an unimaginable act of violence. Jack Ruby, a local nightclub owner with purported connections to organized crime, stepped forward and shot Oswald at point-blank range. The televised murder of the John F. Kennedy assassination suspect added another layer of shock and complexity to an already unbelievable tragedy. Oswald died two hours later at Parkland Hospital, the same hospital where President Kennedy had succumbed to his wounds just two days prior.
The President’s Funeral
That same day, President Kennedy’s flag-draped casket was moved from the White House to the Capitol, carried on a caisson drawn by six grey horses, accompanied by a solitary riderless black horse, a symbol of mourning and fallen leadership. Following Mrs. Kennedy’s wishes, the cortege and ceremonial arrangements were modeled after the funeral of Abraham Lincoln, drawing a parallel between two presidents martyred in service to their nation. Massive crowds lined Pennsylvania Avenue, many openly weeping as the caisson passed, a testament to the profound grief gripping the nation in the wake of the John F. Kennedy assassination. During the 21 hours that President Kennedy’s body lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda, an estimated 250,000 people filed past to pay their respects, a collective outpouring of national mourning.
On Monday, November 25, 1963, President Kennedy was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral was attended by heads of state and representatives from over 100 countries, a global acknowledgement of Kennedy’s impact and the profound shock of the John F. Kennedy assassination. Untold millions more watched the televised funeral, united in grief and remembrance. Following the service, at the gravesite, Mrs. Kennedy and her husband’s brothers, Robert and Edward, lit an eternal flame, a lasting symbol of Kennedy’s enduring legacy.
Perhaps the most enduring and poignant images from that day were those of young John F. Kennedy Jr., just three years old on that day, offering a heartbreaking salute to his father’s casket; daughter Caroline kneeling beside her mother at the bier; and the extraordinary grace and dignity exhibited by Jacqueline Kennedy throughout the ordeal. These images became iconic representations of grief, resilience, and the personal tragedy interwoven with the national trauma of the John F. Kennedy assassination.
As people across the nation and around the world grappled with the senselessness of the act and sought to articulate their feelings about President Kennedy’s life and legacy, many recalled the aspirational words from his inaugural address:
All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days, nor in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this administration. Nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
These words, spoken at the dawn of his presidency, resonated deeply in the aftermath of the John F. Kennedy assassination, serving as both a reminder of his unfinished work and a call to continue striving for the ideals he championed.
Arlington National Cemetery
For those wishing to further explore the solemnity and historical significance of President Kennedy’s final resting place, additional information can be found on the Arlington National Cemetery website. This site offers details about the gravesite and the enduring memorial dedicated to President Kennedy.
Aftermath
The John F. Kennedy assassination spurred immediate and lasting repercussions, prompting investigations and shaping the political landscape for decades to come.
The Warren Commission
On November 29, 1963, just days after the John F. Kennedy assassination, President Lyndon B. Johnson established the President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy. This body became widely known as the Warren Commission, named after its chairman, Earl Warren, then Chief Justice of the United States. President Johnson tasked the commission with the crucial responsibility of thoroughly examining all matters related to the assassination, including the subsequent killing of Lee Harvey Oswald, and to deliver a comprehensive report outlining its findings and conclusions. The Warren Commission’s report, released in 1964, concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the John F. Kennedy assassination, a finding that remains highly controversial and debated to this day.
The House Select Committee on Assassinations
In 1976, amidst lingering public skepticism and numerous unanswered questions surrounding the Warren Commission’s findings, the US House of Representatives formed the House Select Committee on Assassinations. This committee was established to reopen the investigation into the John F. Kennedy assassination, driven by allegations that previous inquiries had not received full cooperation from federal agencies and had potentially overlooked crucial evidence.
Note to the reader: Point 1B in the link below refers to a finding from the 1979 House Select Committee on Assassinations report, stating that the committee found “a high probability that two gunmen fired” at the President. This conclusion stemmed from the late discovery of a Dallas police radio transmission tape, which allegedly provided acoustic evidence suggesting four or more shots were fired in Dealey Plaza during the John F. Kennedy assassination. However, subsequent analysis by acoustic experts conclusively demonstrated that the tape was unreliable and scientifically invalid, effectively negating the finding in Point 1B.
The House Select Committee on Assassinations, which also investigated the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., issued its final report on March 29, 1979. Despite its extensive investigation, the committee’s conclusions regarding the John F. Kennedy assassination remain debated and analyzed.
Assassination Records Collection
The enduring public interest and the ongoing quest for a complete understanding of the John F. Kennedy assassination led to the passage of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992. This landmark legislation, enacted by the US Congress, mandated the consolidation of all assassination-related materials under the supervision of the National Archives and Records Administration. The Act aimed to ensure transparency and facilitate public access to the vast collection of documents and evidence pertaining to the John F. Kennedy assassination, promoting continued research and historical analysis of this pivotal event in American history.
