By the fall of 1963, President John F. Kennedy was not only a charismatic leader but also a figure deeply entrenched in the hearts of Americans. As he and his political advisors geared up for the upcoming 1964 presidential campaign, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. While an official candidacy announcement was pending, it was widely understood that President Kennedy would seek re-election, and his confidence was palpable. But this promising trajectory was brutally cut short. Why Was Kennedy Killed? This question has echoed through history, marking a turning point and sparking countless investigations and theories about the events of November 22, 1963.
In the months leading up to that fateful day, Kennedy was actively engaging with the nation. In late September 1963, he embarked on a whirlwind tour across nine states in the West, a trip ostensibly focused on promoting natural resources and conservation. However, this journey served a dual purpose, allowing JFK to test the waters for his 1964 campaign, touching upon key themes such as education, national security, and the pursuit of world peace.
The Political Climate Leading Up to Dallas
Kennedy’s Campaign and Texas Troubles
A month later, President Kennedy continued his political engagements by addressing Democratic gatherings in Boston and Philadelphia. These appearances were followed by a crucial political planning session on November 12, specifically aimed at strategizing for the election year ahead. During this meeting, the significance of securing victories in Florida and Texas was underscored, and plans were set in motion for presidential visits to both states within the next two weeks.
Texas, in particular, was identified as a critical battleground state. However, it was also a state fraught with political complexities. President Kennedy was acutely aware of a deep-seated rift within the Texas Democratic party leadership, a division that threatened to undermine his chances of winning the state in 1964. One of the primary objectives of his Texas trip was to bridge this divide and unify the Democratic factions.
Adding to the political turbulence in Texas was the presence of a small but vocal and extreme right-wing element. These groups were known to be contributing to the already tense political atmosphere, and their presence was expected to be particularly pronounced in Dallas. Just a month prior to Kennedy’s visit, Adlai Stevenson, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, had been physically attacked in Dallas after delivering a speech, highlighting the volatile environment.
Despite these known challenges and potential risks, President Kennedy seemed undeterred, even invigorated by the prospect of leaving Washington and immersing himself in the political arena. He was scheduled to be accompanied by Mrs. Kennedy on this Texas tour, marking her first significant public appearances since the tragic loss of their infant son, Patrick, in August. On November 21, President and Mrs. Kennedy boarded Air Force One, embarking on a two-day, five-city tour of Texas.
The Texas Trip: San Antonio, Houston, and Fort Worth
The first stop on the presidential itinerary was San Antonio. A high-profile welcoming committee awaited their arrival, including Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Governor John B. Connally, and Senator Ralph W. Yarborough. The presidential party proceeded to Brooks Air Force Base for the dedication of the Aerospace Medical Health Center. From San Antonio, they traveled to Houston, where President Kennedy addressed the League of United Latin American Citizens and later spoke at a testimonial dinner honoring Congressman Albert Thomas. The day concluded in Fort Worth, setting the stage for the events of the following morning.
November 22, 1963: The Day of the Assassination
Morning in Fort Worth
Friday, November 22, dawned with a light rain in Fort Worth. Despite the weather, a substantial crowd of several thousand people had 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 protection from the drizzle, emerged to address the enthusiastic crowd.
President Kennedy greets supporters in Fort Worth on the morning of November 22, 1963, shortly before departing for Dallas.
“There are no faint hearts in Fort Worth,” he began, acknowledging the crowd’s resilience in the face of the rain. “And I appreciate your being here this morning. Mrs. Kennedy is organizing herself. It takes longer, but, of course, she looks better than we do when she does it.” His remarks then shifted to matters of national importance, emphasizing the nation’s imperative to maintain a position of strength in defense and space exploration, to foster economic growth, and to embrace the responsibilities of global leadership. The crowd’s response was overwhelmingly warm and positive, with President Kennedy engaging directly with the well-wishers, shaking hands amidst a sea of smiling faces.
Returning inside the Texas Hotel, President Kennedy delivered a breakfast address to the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. His focus remained on military preparedness, reiterating the United States’ pivotal role in global security. “We are still the keystone in the arch of freedom,” he declared, underscoring the nation’s commitment to its responsibilities, with Texas playing a leading part.
Arrival in Dallas and the Motorcade Route
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 in Dallas, President and Mrs. Kennedy disembarked Air Force One and immediately approached a fence where a crowd of supporters had gathered. They spent several minutes greeting and shaking hands with the welcoming crowd.
President and Mrs. Kennedy are greeted by enthusiastic crowds upon their arrival at Love Field in Dallas on November 22, 1963.
The First Lady was presented with 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 their places in the back. The plastic bubble top, typically used for inclement weather, was not in place as the rain had ceased. Vice President and Mrs. Johnson followed in another car as part of the motorcade.
The procession then commenced its ten-mile route through Dallas, winding through the downtown area on its way to the Trade Mart, where President Kennedy was scheduled to deliver a luncheon address.
The Fatal Shots in Dealey Plaza
As the motorcade moved through Dallas, throngs of excited people lined the streets, waving and cheering to President and Mrs. Kennedy. The atmosphere was festive and filled with goodwill. Around 12:30 p.m., the limousine turned off Main Street and entered Dealey Plaza. As the car passed the Texas School Book Depository, the unimaginable happened: gunfire erupted in the plaza.
An aerial view of Dealey Plaza in Dallas, the site of President Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963.
Bullets struck President Kennedy, hitting his neck and head. He slumped towards Mrs. Kennedy. Governor Connally, seated in front of the President, was also struck, wounded in his back. The presidential limousine accelerated rapidly, speeding towards Parkland Memorial Hospital, just minutes away.
Aftermath at Parkland Hospital and Air Force One
Despite the swift arrival at Parkland Memorial Hospital, little could be done to save President Kennedy. A Catholic priest was summoned to administer the last rites. At 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead. Governor Connally, though seriously wounded, would ultimately recover.
President Kennedy’s body was taken to Love Field and placed aboard Air Force One. Before the plane could depart, a somber and grim-faced Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as President of the United States in a small, crowded compartment of the aircraft. The oath of office was administered by US District Court Judge Sarah Hughes at 2:38 p.m.
The Killing of Oswald by Jack Ruby
Less than an hour before Johnson’s swearing-in, Dallas police had apprehended Lee Harvey Oswald, a recent employee at the Texas School Book Depository. He was arrested in connection with the assassination of President Kennedy and the fatal shooting of Patrolman J. D. Tippit, which had occurred shortly after the assassination on a Dallas street.
The unfolding tragedy took another shocking turn on Sunday morning, November 24. As Oswald was being transferred from police headquarters to the county jail, an event broadcast live on national television captured a horrifying scene. Jack Ruby, a local nightclub owner, stepped forward and shot Oswald at point-blank range. Oswald died two hours later at Parkland Hospital, the same hospital where President Kennedy had passed away just two days prior. Ruby’s motive and connections remain subjects of intense speculation, further fueling conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination and deepening the question: Why was Kennedy killed?
The Nation Mourns: Funeral and Legacy
The President’s Funeral
The same day Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald, President Kennedy’s flag-draped casket was moved from the White House to the Capitol. It was transported on a caisson drawn by six grey horses, accompanied by a riderless black horse, a poignant symbol of mourning. At Mrs. Kennedy’s request, the funeral procession and ceremonial details were modeled after the funeral of Abraham Lincoln, drawing parallels between two presidencies cut short by violence and national tragedy.
The solemn procession carrying President Kennedy’s casket proceeds through Washington D.C. on November 25, 1963, during his state funeral.
Vast crowds lined Pennsylvania Avenue, many openly weeping as the caisson passed. For 21 hours, President Kennedy’s body lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda, where an estimated 250,000 people filed past to pay their respects.
On Monday, November 25, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral was attended by heads of state and representatives from over 100 countries, with countless millions more watching the televised event around the world. At the gravesite, Mrs. Kennedy and her husband’s brothers, Robert and Edward, lit an eternal flame, a lasting symbol of his enduring legacy.
Perhaps the most enduring images from that day were those of young John F. Kennedy Jr., saluting his father’s casket on his third birthday, his daughter Caroline kneeling beside her mother at the bier, and the extraordinary grace and dignity displayed by Jacqueline Kennedy throughout the ordeal. These moments of profound grief and resilience resonated deeply with a nation in mourning.
As the nation and the world grappled with the senseless act and tried to articulate their feelings about President Kennedy’s life and legacy, many recalled the powerful 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.
Kennedy’s Legacy
President Kennedy’s assassination left a void in American society and politics. His promise and potential, so vividly present, were abruptly extinguished. The question of why was Kennedy killed became intertwined with reflections on his unfinished agenda and the direction of the nation. His legacy continues to be debated and re-evaluated, but his impact on American culture and his enduring appeal remain undeniable.
Investigating the Assassination: Seeking Answers
In the immediate aftermath of the assassination, the urgent need to understand why was Kennedy killed led to multiple investigations, each attempting to provide answers and bring closure to a nation in shock.
The Warren Commission
Just days after the assassination, on November 29, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson established the President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy. It became widely known as the Warren Commission, named after its chairman, Earl Warren, the Chief Justice of the United States. President Johnson tasked the commission with the critical responsibility of evaluating all matters related to the assassination and the subsequent killing of Lee Harvey Oswald, and to deliver a comprehensive report of its findings and conclusions.
The Warren Commission conducted an extensive investigation, and in 1964, it released its report. The central conclusion of the Warren Commission was that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination of President Kennedy. This “lone gunman theory” became the official explanation for the assassination, though it has been met with persistent skepticism and controversy over the decades. The Warren Commission Report, while intended to provide definitive answers, in many ways intensified the questions surrounding why was Kennedy killed? and fueled numerous alternative theories.
The House Select Committee on Assassinations
In 1976, amidst ongoing public debate and skepticism regarding the Warren Commission’s findings, the US House of Representatives established the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA). This committee was formed to reopen the investigation into the assassination, specifically in light of allegations that previous inquiries had not received full cooperation from federal agencies and that crucial evidence may have been overlooked.
The HSCA conducted its own investigation and, in 1979, issued its report. Notably, the HSCA concluded that President Kennedy was likely assassinated as a result of a conspiracy. Point 1B of the HSCA findings stated that there was “a high probability that two gunmen fired” at the president. This conclusion stemmed from the purported discovery of a Dallas police radio transmission tape that allegedly provided acoustic evidence of four or more shots fired in Dealey Plaza.
However, the HSCA’s “second gunman” finding proved to be highly controversial and ultimately undermined. Following the release of the HSCA report, acoustic experts rigorously analyzed the Dallas police radio tape and conclusively demonstrated that the tape was unreliable and did not provide credible evidence of additional shots. This effectively negated the basis for the HSCA’s key finding of a probable conspiracy. Despite its initial conclusion, the HSCA’s investigation, like the Warren Commission before it, did not definitively answer why was Kennedy killed? and further solidified the assassination’s place in American history as a subject of enduring mystery and debate.
Assassination Records Collection
Recognizing the continued public interest and the need for transparency, the US Congress passed the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992. This act mandated the consolidation of all assassination-related materials under the supervision of the National Archives and Records Administration. This vast collection serves as a central repository for documents, testimonies, and evidence related to the Kennedy assassination, providing researchers and the public with access to a wealth of information for continued study and analysis of the events of November 22, 1963, and the enduring question of why was Kennedy killed?
To delve deeper into the details of President Kennedy’s funeral and gravesite, resources are available at the Arlington National Cemetery website. Further information on the Warren Commission can be found at the National Archives, and the report of the House Select Committee on Assassinations is also accessible through the National Archives.
Note to the reader: As mentioned in the House Select Committee on Assassinations section, the acoustic evidence that led to the “probable second gunman” conclusion has been discredited.
The assassination of John F. Kennedy remains a pivotal and tragic moment in American history. While official investigations have offered explanations, the question of why was Kennedy killed? continues to resonate, prompting ongoing historical analysis, debate, and reflection on this profound event and its lasting impact.
