Assassination of John F. Kennedy
November 22nd, 1963
November 22nd, 1963
How Long Ago?
61 years, 3 months, 21 days ago
Location
Dallas, Texas, United States
Category
Politics & Government
People
- John F. Kennedy
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- Lee Harvey Oswald
- Jacqueline Kennedy
- John Connally
- J. D. Tippit
Links & References
- John F. Kennedy
- Assassination of John F. Kennedy
- Texas
- John Connally
- Lee Harvey Oswald
- J. D. Tippit
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- First inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson
- President of the United States
Tags
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Lee Harvey Oswald fired shots from the Texas School Book Depository, striking both Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally. Oswald fled and later killed Dallas Police officer J. D. Tippit during his escape. Following the assassination, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States aboard Air Force One.
John F. Kennedy was shot while in a motorcade.
Accused assassin Lee Harvey Oswald fled the scene.
Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president quickly.
The event triggered widespread national mourning.
What Happened?
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, while on a political trip to garner support for the upcoming election. He was traveling in an open-top limousine with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Texas Governor John Connally, and Connally's wife Nellie when shots rang out from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository. Two shots struck Kennedy, fatally wounding him. Governor Connally was also hit but survived his injuries. The assassination occurred at approximately 12:30 PM CST as the motorcade passed through Dealey Plaza, resulting in shock and disbelief across the nation and the world.
Immediately after the shooting, Lee Harvey Oswald, a former Marine with a history of extremist views, fled the scene. He was later confronted by police and fatally shot Dallas officer J. D. Tippit, who had been responding to the reported assassination. Subsequently, Oswald was arrested in a nearby theater. In the hours following Kennedy's death, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was swiftly sworn in as President aboard Air Force One on the runway at Dallas Love Field Airport, emphasizing the seamless transition of power amidst the national tragedy. This historic moment marked a pivotal turning point in American politics and society.
The assassination had a profound impact on the United States, leading to widespread mourning, conspiracy theories, and changes in security protocols for public officials. It also catalyzed significant civil rights legislation and escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, as Johnson sought to advance Kennedy's agenda and maintain political stability. The event remains one of the most studied moments in American history, symbolizing both loss and the turbulence of the 1960s.
Why Does it Matter?
The assassination of John F. Kennedy is significant as it marked the end of a hopeful era in America, often referred to as Camelot. The immediate aftermath included a wave of shock and conspiracy theories that persisted for decades. The event transformed U.S. politics, intensifying public scrutiny of government and the presidency, and leading to profound societal changes in the years that followed.
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