On November 22 of the year 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by a man named Lee Harvey Oswald as he was riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas, Texas.
Who is JFK?
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, popularly known as JFK, was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S. He was the 35th president of the United States from the time period 1961-1963, making him face the most foreign crises, like Cuba and Berlin, but he still managed to pass bills that led to the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty and the revolutionary Alliance for Progress. He was the second of nine children. Kennedy was born in a family that had competition on both physical and intellectual levels among the siblings. JFK’s father, Joseph Patrick Kennedy, was a multimillionaire which he became mainly through banking, bootlegging, shipbuilding, and the film industry. He was also a wizard at the stock market. On the other hand, his mother, Rose was the daughter of John F. Fitzgerald, who was a one-time mayor of Boston.
The Events Around the Assassination
In the year 1963, President John F. Kennedy along with his political advisers was preparing for the next presidential campaign. Even though he had not formally announced his run for the presidential candidacy, it was well known that Kennedy was going to run and he was confident about his chances of being elected again.
In late September, the president headed west, after campaigning in nine different states in under a week. The trip was to pull a campaign on natural resources and on conservation efforts. But JFK also used it to put a spotlight on issues such as education, national security, and world peace which were also meant for his run for the year 1964.
The presidential party went via motorcade to the Carswell Air Force Base for the thirteen-minute flight to Dallas. On arriving at Love Field, The President and his wife waved and walked towards a fence where his well-wishers had gathered, where they spent several minutes shaking hands. One of them gave the first lady a bouquet of red roses, which she brought along with her to the waiting limousine. In the open convertible, Governor John Connally and his wife were already seated. The Kennedys entered and sat behind them. The rain had stopped, and the plastic top of the car had been taken off. Meanwhile, the Vice President and his wife occupied another car.
On leaving the airport, the convoy traveled a ten-mile route that passed through downtown Dallas and on the way to the Trade Mart where the President had his schedule to speak at a formal lunch.
The Assassination
The crowds filled with excited people gathered in the streets, waving at the Kennedys. At the Main Street at Dealey Plaza around 12:30 p.m., the car turned off. It was moving past the Texas School Book Depository when gunfire suddenly echoed in the plaza.
Bullets pierced both the president's neck and head, he leaned over toward Mrs. Kennedy. The governor was also shot in his back. The car rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital which was just a few minutes away. But it was too late for the President. A Catholic priest was asked to administer the last rites, and exactly at 1:00 p.m. John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead. On the other hand, seriously wounded Governor Connally managed to recover.
Later, the president's body was brought to Air Force One on Love Field. Before the plane took off, Lyndon B. Johnson stood in the crowded compartment and took the oath of office, which was administered by a US District Court Judge named Sarah Hughes. The ceremony took place at exactly 2:38 p.m.
In less than an hour, police had managed to arrest Lee Harvey Oswald, who was recently hired as an employee at the Texas School Book Depository. He was held for multiple crimes, namely the assassination of President Kennedy and the fatal shooting of Patrolman J. D. Tippit on the streets of Dallas.
On November 24th, a Sunday morning, Oswald was transferred from the police headquarters to county jail. People across America were watching live television coverage and suddenly saw a man aim a pistol and fire at point-blank range. The shooter was identified as a local nightclub owner named Jack Ruby. Oswald was announced dead two hours later at Parkland Hospital.
The President's Funeral
On 25th November, President Kennedy's casket, flag-draped, was taken from the White House to the Capitol on a wagon drawn by six gray horses, along with one riderless black horse. At Mrs. Kennedy's request, the parade and other ceremonial details were done similarly to the funeral of Abraham Lincoln. People gathered in large numbers at Pennsylvania Avenue and many eyes were filled with tears and wept as the wagon passed. The president's body lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda for a time period of 21 hours, and about 250,000 people came by to pay their respects.
FAQs
Q. When was John F Kennedy elected as president?
A. John F Kennedy’s inauguration took place on January 20, 1961. He served as the 35th president of the United States.
Q. Did John F Kennedy believe in Civil rights?
A. John F Kennedy believed everyone should have equal rights regardless of their skin color.
Q. Was John F Kennedy a Christian?
A. Yes, Kennedy was the first Roman Catholic President.
Q. At what age did JFK become president?
A. Kennedy was the youngest person to be elected as President, at the age of 43.
