Contributed by TJ Hartnett
In the fall of 1963, President John F. Kennedy was making the most out of his position while looking for reelection campaigns in his near future. Being a democrat and hoping to spotlight conservation efforts, national security, and education, Kennedy started his campaign westward heading to Texas. On November 22nd, he arrived in Fort Worth to address the city outside his hotel early in the morning. After conversing with the chamber committee of Fort Worth over breakfast, Kennedy made his way to Dallas for an all-important meeting with the state representatives from Texas.
Once in Dallas, straight off his plane, Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline, hopped into an open convertible with a bouquet of roses. John and Jackie sat upon the top seats of the car as they made their way down the crowded streets of Dallas. As he and his wife waved to the thousands who flocked to see the president, the car turned down Main Street at about 12:30pm. Seconds later two shots sprung out directly impacting the president’s head and neck. He immediately slumped down in the car in the direction of Jackie. Screams and cries filled the air as bystanders ran for safety. The car sped away to the Parkland Memorial Hospital where at 1:00pm, John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead. With little communication and much confusion around the topic, Americans fell silent and waited for word about the president and his killer. Lee Harvey Oswald was convicted of killing our nation’s president. After being detained and transferred only a few days later, shots were fired over live television as one person in the crowd, Jack Ruby, shot the murderer, killing Lee Harvey Oswald on the spot.
Interview:
JFK Assassination Recounted By Edward Hartnett, my Grandfather
Interview:
JFK Assassination Recounted By Edward Hartnett, my Grandfather
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For more information on the Assassination of JFK, see:
"November 22, 1963: Death of the President." www.jfklibrary.org. JOHN F. KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.
"The JFK Assassination." www.maryferrell.org. Mary Ferrell Foundation, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.
"The JFK Assassination." www.time.com. TIME Magazine, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.
"John F. Kennedy Assassinated." www.history.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.
"1963: Kennedy shot dead in Dallas." new.bbc.co.uk. BBC, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.
Great work Thomas. I truly enjoy hearing the story from a man who remembers such a terrible event in our nation's history. Very cool to know that this event is still ingrained into his memory as clearly as it is 50 years later.
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