The Events, the Assassin, the Theories, and the Nation’s Reaction

The Events of the Assassination November 22, 1963 Kennedy gives speech followed by a motorcade through Dallas. Governor Connally of Texas and his wife accompany the President and first lady.

The Events of the Assassination (2) The motorcade turns down Houston St. and makes a left onto Elm St. through Dealy Plaza. The Texas School Book Depository, with Oswald on 6 th floor, is on the corner.

The Events of the Assassination (3) “Something has happened…” –KBOX Dallas radio’s live report of the assassination, just prior to, during and immediately following the shooting.

The Events of the Assassination (4) 3 – 4 shots are fired at the President Governor Connally hit under armpit, out arm, and into his thigh Kennedy hit 2x –Once in the back and out throat –One shot to the head Motorcade rushes off to the Hospital Charles Brehm – eyewitness account, father watching w/ son

The Events of the Assassination (5) At 1:00 PM on November 22 nd, 1963 President John F. Kennedy dies at the age of 46. –The initial newsflash stating that Kennedy has died. (A woman can be heard sobbing upon hearing the news)

The Events of the Assassination (6) VP Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as President on plane in Dallas A shocked and stunned nation comes to grips with the tragedy that has taken place –“In the hearts of each of us” - news anchor Frank McGee attempts to put the country’s feelings into words

The Events of the Assassination (7) Lee Harvey Oswald Becomes focus of investigation into assassination Arrested in movie theater a few miles from site of assassination on same day – believed that he killed a police officer shortly after assassination “They’re taking me in because of the fact that I lived in the Soviet Union. I’m only a patsy.” Rifle and spent shells found in TSBD where some witnesses believed shots came from While being transferred, Oswald is shot and killed by Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby

Profile of an Assassin Lee Harvey Oswald Troubled Childhood – –father died, mother unstable, previous violence, moved 21x btw school & college Marxist/Communist Beliefs – –Taught himself Russian, Joined Marines, didn’t like it, moved to USSR in 1959, married –Not accepted there – moved back to USA –Applied for residency in Cuba – denied Texas School Book Depository – –October 1963 – Oswald gets job working there (site of shooting) Previous Assassination Attempt – –April 10 th, 1963 – Planned & attempted to kill former Gen. Walker – critic of Castro

The Investigation The Warren Commission –LBJ appoints a special committee to investigate the assassination –Headed by Chief Justice of S.C. Earl Warren Warren Report (issued Sept 1964) –Oswald, acting alone, killed JFK No conspiracy –Oswald fired 3 shots 1 missed, no others shot –Single Bullet Theory – Same bullet that hit Kennedy in throat went on to strike Gov. Connally in the back –Jack Ruby’s killing of Oswald was spontaneous, no significant ties to the Mafia

The Investigation (2) The House Select Committee on Assassinations - conducts investigation over 3 yr period (’76-’79) –Kennedy killed as part of a conspiracy – Oswald did not act alone –Four shots were fired, one shot was fired from the “grassy knoll” but missed Kennedy and the limousine –Jack Ruby had significant ties to organized crime –Ruby’s killing of Oswald was not spontaneous but had the appearance of a “hit” to silence him –Warren Commission failed to fully investigate the possibility of a conspiracy –CIA and FBI did not supply all the info they had to the commission –Security arrangements insecure? A proper autopsy?

Two Basic Views of the Assassination Crazed Loner –One gunman –Acted alone –No accomplices or help from anyone else Conspiracy –More than one gunman –Those gunmen a part of a larger conspiracy Which one do you believe??? Let’s look at some of the evidence…

Evidence: Dealy Plaza Revisited Make note of locations of people, objects, and buildings

Evidence: Sniper’s Nest Revisited

Evidence: The Assassin MotiveMotive –Did he have the motivation to pull off the assassination? TSBD – Rifle & “Snipers Nest”TSBD – Rifle & “Snipers Nest” –Rifle had his fingerprints on it, 3 shells found in area around the snipers nest Accuracy of ShotsAccuracy of Shots –Could he have gotten 3 shots off in 8 seconds with great accuracy?

Evidence: The Witnesses How many shots were fired? Jean Hill & Mary Moorman / Bill & Gayle Newman Where were the shots fired from? How reliable is eyewitness testimony? How reliable is eyewitness testimony?

Evidence: “The Magic Bullet” Does the Single Bullet Theory hold up? –Movie JFK’s depiction of “Magic Bullet” –The seating position – Is Connally directly in front of Kennedy or not?

Evidence: “The Magic Bullet” (2) Does the Single Bullet Theory hold up? –The Trajectory – Could the bullet have passed through both bodies? –Are these diagrams accurate depictions of the seating arrangements?

Evidence: “The Magic Bullet” (3) Does the Single Bullet Theory hold up? –The “Pristine” Bullet – After passing through two bodies, does the bullet show some wear to it?

Evidence: “The Magic Bullet” (4) Back to the Single Bullet Theory w/ Zapruder Does the Single Bullet Theory hold up?

The Final Shot “Back & to the Left” (JFK) – Does the movement of JFK’s head indicate where the final fatal shot came from?“Back & to the Left” (JFK) – Does the movement of JFK’s head indicate where the final fatal shot came from?

What Really Happened? Oswald as lone gunner is most widely accepted, BUT there is still much debate even today. What do you think? Why are there so many who believe that there was a conspiracy?

A Nation Mourns The Funeral –November 25, 1963 (John Jr.’s BDay) – Thousands attend the procession from the White House to Arlington Cemetery –Millions mourned in services held around the country and around the world.

A Nation Mourns (2) Some of the sights and sounds of the Funeral A son’s final salute to his father

A Fallen Leader’s Final Resting Place