JFK Assassination

Topics: John F. Kennedy assassination, John F. Kennedy, Warren Commission Pages: 4 (1183 words) Published: May 29, 2014
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy (JFK) was the “where were you?” event of the 1960’s. In November of 1963, JFK was shot riding in his limo in Texas. Because the shooting was in public view of both citizens and the media, there are varying accounts for what took place that day. A government investigation, referred to as the Warren Commission, concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone gunman of the assassination of Kennedy. In the 50 years since his murder, several other theories, related to the circumstances surrounding his death, have arisen. Because the government has been so assertive that Oswald was the single shooter, any inconsistency gives rise to alternative theories ranging from CIA involvement to a second assassin both of which have evidentiary support.

On November 22nd, 1963 John F. Kennedy, his wife (Jacqueline), and Governor John Connally were riding in a limo through Dealy Plaza in Dallas, Texas (Warren, Warren Commission Report). In preparation for his re-election campaign, Kennedy emphasized the importance of winning the swing states: Florida and Texas (“November 22 1963: Death of the President). Because democratic views were divided, he was in Dallas to unit them as one (“November 22 1963: Death of the President”). While driving, around 2:00 pm, the President was struck by two bullets: one in the neck and the other in the head (Pellegrini, The JFK Assassination). Governor Connally was also wounded by gunshots but the shots were not fatal (Warren, Warren Commission Report). The limo immediately sped off to the Parkland Memorial Hospital and Kennedy was pronounced dead at 1:00 pm (“November 22 1963: Death of the President”). Witnesses say that they saw a rifle fired on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository (Warren, Warren Commission Report). When the Book Depository was searched, they found a 6.5-millimeter Mannlicher Carcano Italian Rifle (Warren, Warren Commission Report). Wounds of JFK and the Governor as well...


Cited: List
Warren, Earl. "Warren Commission Report." Student Resources Content. Gale Group, 27 Sept. 1964. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
"November 22 1963: Death of the President." JohnFKennedy: Presidential Library and Museum. N.p., Web. 28 Apr. 2014. .
Pellegrini, Frank. "The JFK Assassination." TIMES. Time, 26 Mar. 2001. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
Pellegrini, Frank. "The Grassy Knoll is Back." TIMES. Times, 16 May 2000. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
"Alternative Assassination Theories for John F. Kennedy." Student Resources in Context. Gale, Web. 1 Jan.
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