Leading up to Dallas
President John Kennedy was preparing for the next presidential campaign in 1964. It was clear that Kennedy was going to run and he seemed confident about his chances for re-election. The President travelled west and spoke in nine different states within a week. Kennedy used the trip to voice his views about the progression in education, national security and world peace for his run in 1964. On November 21 1963, the President and his wife travelled to Texas where they would travel for two days and visit five cities. While in Fort Worth Kennedy talked about America's need for being "second to none" in defense and in space, for continued growth in the economy and "the willingness to citizens of the United States to assume the burdens of leadership".
The presidential party then left the hotel and went to Carswell Air Force Base for the thirteen minute flight to Dallas.
The presidential party then left the hotel and went to Carswell Air Force Base for the thirteen minute flight to Dallas.
Love Field to downtown Dallas
After landing at Love Field, President Kennedy and his wife spent several minutes greeting well-wishers and shaking hands. Mrs Kennedy received a bouquet of red flowers, which she brought to the waiting limousine. Governor John Connally and his wife Nellie were seated when the Kennedys entered and sat behind them. The bubble top had been left off the limousine as the weather had cleared. Vice President Lyndon Johnson and his wife were seated in another car in the motorcade.
The procession then left the airport and travelled along a ten mile route that wound through downtown Dallas on the way to the Trade Mart where the President was to speak at a luncheon.
The procession then left the airport and travelled along a ten mile route that wound through downtown Dallas on the way to the Trade Mart where the President was to speak at a luncheon.
Crowds of excited people lined the streets and waved at the Kennedys. The car turned off Main Street at Dealey Plaza around 12.30 pm. As it passed the Texas School Book Depository, gunfire suddenly boomed through the plaza. President Kennedy was struck by a bullet in the neck then a fatal shot hit him in the head. Governor Connally was also hit by gunfire.
The President's car sped off to Parkland Memorial Hospital just a few minutes away. Unfortunately there could be little to be done for Kennedy. A Catholic priest administered the last rites, and at 1.00pm John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead. Governor Connally would recover despite serious wounds.
The President's body was delivered to Love Field and placed on Air Force One. Before the plane took off, Lyndon Johnson took the oath of office at 2.38pm. Less than an hour earlier, Dallas police arrested Lee Harvey Oswald who was an employee at the Texas School Book Depository. Oswald was arrested for the assassination of President Kennedy and the fatal shooting of Patrolman J. D. Tippit shortly after Kennedy was shot.
On the morning of November 24, Oswald was scheduled to be transferred from police headquarters to the county jail. This was shown on live television across America. Viewers watched as a man in the crowd aimed a pistol at Oswald and fired at point blank range. The man was identified as Jack Ruby. Two hours later Oswald died at Parkland Hospital.
The President's body was delivered to Love Field and placed on Air Force One. Before the plane took off, Lyndon Johnson took the oath of office at 2.38pm. Less than an hour earlier, Dallas police arrested Lee Harvey Oswald who was an employee at the Texas School Book Depository. Oswald was arrested for the assassination of President Kennedy and the fatal shooting of Patrolman J. D. Tippit shortly after Kennedy was shot.
On the morning of November 24, Oswald was scheduled to be transferred from police headquarters to the county jail. This was shown on live television across America. Viewers watched as a man in the crowd aimed a pistol at Oswald and fired at point blank range. The man was identified as Jack Ruby. Two hours later Oswald died at Parkland Hospital.
President Kennedy's Funeral
On Monday November 25, 1963 President Kennedy was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Those who attended included the heads of state and representatives from over 100 countries, and millions of people watched on television. After the funeral, Mrs Kennedy and her late husband's brothers Robert and Edward lit an eternal flame.
Today if you go to Dealey Plaza in Dallas, you will see an X on the road marking the spot where President Kennedy was fatally shot.