The Kennedy Assassination November 22, 1963 Friday Dallas, Texas Clip 1

John F. Kennedy

Jacqueline Kennedy

JFK Jackie Gov. John Connally (TX)

Why is Kennedy in Texas? To help local candidates running for office. Attend a fund-raiser for local Democrats. His VP (Johnson) is from Texas Clip 2, 3

Why Might TX be Dangerous? In 1963 – 400 threats on JFK’s life Texas is (politically) ____________ Traditionally, they vote _________ JFK is ____________ Adlai Stevenson (UN Ambassador) had been in TX and was spit on.

Motorcade Going from Love Field through Dealey Plaza to the Trade Mart.

Dealey Plaza - Dallas Love Field Trade mart

Many people watching the parade. Made had still cameras. Some had movie cameras.

The Zapruder Film Only film recording of the bullets hitting. Zapruder was a local dressmaker who happened to be filming this event for his daughter.

Zapruder’s Filming Location Known as the “Grassy Knoll”

The Zapruder Film

Clint Hill Reading, 4, 5

Timeline of Major Events Friday - November 22, 1963 JFK lands at Love Field (Dallas, TX) JFK and motorcade head to Trade Mart 12:30 – Shots fired at JFK ◦Police rush into Book Depository ◦Only employee missing = Oswald 1:00 – JFK pronounced deadJFK pronounced dead Clip 6

Lee Harvey Oswald

1:15 – Oswald shoots police officer Tippet 1:50 – Oswald arrested in movie theater Sunday - November 24, :00 - Jack Ruby shoots Oswald ◦(on live TV!) Monday – November 25, 1963 ◦JFK buried (Arlington Nat. Cemetery) ◦Oswald buried

Oswald’s Sniper’s “Nest” in Depository

Mannlicher-Carcano Rifle

VP Johnson Takes the Oath of Office Aboard Air Force One

Jack Ruby Shooting Oswald

Jack Ruby

JFK, Jr. at Father’s Funeral Procession

Jackie and Carolyn Kennedy at Rotunda

Funeral Procession in Arlington National Cemetary

The Eternal Flame at Arlington

Timeline (cont.) November 29, 1963 ◦Warren Commission created ◦To find out who killed JFK September 24, 1964 ◦Warren Commission findings published

Read about what the Warren Commission reported in their findings in 1964.

Warren Commission says….. Oswald shot JFK by himself Shot from the 6 th floor of the Texas School Book Depository Used an old Italian bolt-action rifle Shot THREE bullets; hit JFK with TWO

Warren Commission says… Oswald killed Officer Tippet. Jack Ruby then killed Oswald the next day. Magic Bullet Proof

1969 ◦District Attorney Jim Garrison (of New Orleans) tries Clay Shaw for the murder of JFK ◦Only trial brought in the assassination ◦Clay Shaw found not guilty.

1976 – 79 ◦House Select Committee on Assassinations ◦Case re-opened ◦JFK was “probably assassinated as the result of a conspiracy.” ◦Oswald still blamed as shooter. ◦No other person named!

1982 ◦Acoustical Report ◦National Academy of Science to review auditory evidence. ◦Said NO shot was fired from Grassy Knoll Area

1991 ◦Oliver Stone makes JFK ◦Puts forth conspiracy theories. ◦Popular at box office

Kennedy Assassinated (11/22/63) Warren Commission (Official US Government Stance) Conspiracy Theories (MANY ideas about who ACTUALLY killed Kennedy)

Conspiracy TogetherBreathe More than one involved

Why Think Conspiracy? 1) Seems like difficult shots. 2) Eyewitnesses talking immediately. 3) Ruby killed Oswald. 4) Government had lied about Watergate…why not this? 5) Balance needed.

Who Might Have Wanted JFK Dead? Take a minute to brainstorm the possibilities….

Three Shots Fired 1. First shot missed JFK’s car a. JFK turns around at the sound b. James Teague hit of the cheek by a pavement fragment while standing ahead of the car. 2. Second hits both JFK and Connally a. The “Near-Pristine” b. The “Magic Bullet”

Path of the “Magic Bullet”

The “Near Pristine or Magic Bullet”

The Third Shot 3. The third shot hits JFK in the head and kills him.

Shots from the Grassy Knoll? Veteran gets on ground when he hears shots from behind him. Zapruder saying shots coming from behind him. RR worker saying he saw a flash of light and smoke behind the fence. Jean Hill (across street) saw smoke and movement behind fence.

Who Might Want JFK Dead? The Mob The Teamsters (Union) The Cubans Left-Wing Extremists (Communists) The CIA Right-Wing Extremists (Conservatives)

The Mob RFK expanding prosecution of organized crime (since he was Attorney General) Judith Campbell seeing JFK and Sam Giancana (at the same time). (Ended in 1961) Jimmy Hoffa being indicted on jury bribery charges. ◦Kill the President to get Bobby off their case?

Turned up 24-hour coverage of Giancana. JFK seemed fallible since he… ◦Had many women ◦Sought Castro’s death ◦Putting too much pressure on Mob Mob wanted access to Cuba for tourism, gambling

Jimmy Hoffa (Teamsters) Teamsters = only union NOT favoring JFK in 1960s ◦Local unions moving AWAY from Teamsters On trial for wiretapping. Trials NOT going well for Hoffa!

The Cubans Eisenhower had given Mob the “green light” to assassinate Castro. JFK wanted Castro out also. ◦Knew of Ike’s assassination attempts before the Bay of Pigs. Had motives, but probably not involved.

Left-Wing Extremists (Communists) Upset over anti-Cuban policies Upset over Bay of Pigs Invasion Upset over Cold War tensions with USSR.

The CIA Screw up with Bay of Pigs Invasion. JFK splintering CIA and its power Firing many important people Probably not involved.

Right-Wing Extremists (Conservative) Upset over civil rights attempts Wanted to see LBJ in office (from Texas)

What Do We Know About Oswald? Had dyslexia. Violent as a youth.. Violent to wife. Honorable discharge from Marines. Part of an assassination plot of Castro? Doesn’t seem to harbor ill will toward JFK…ever.

Joins communist organization. Defects to USSR in Returns to US in Interviewed twice by FBI upon his return. Makes fake IDs at his job. Had taken a shot at General Walker.

Moved to Louisiana (April 1963). ◦Hands out anti-Castro leaflets. ◦Tries to start a Fair Play for Cuba branch.  National HQ won’t support him. Returned to Texas (September 1963) Seen by Silvia Odio ◦Cuban refugee ◦Had been visited by two men (one was probably Oswald) ◦Discussion was about killing Castro ◦Odio’s father in Cuban prison (anti-Castro)

Goes to Mexico City ◦Unknown reasons… ◦Wife (Marina) doesn’t know WHY either! ◦Go to Cuba? ◦Can’t get a visa from Cuba, USSR, or Washington, DC. First week of November, 1963 ◦Practicing with rifle Saying he was coming into money ◦Looking at cars Thursday, November 21 ◦Leaves wedding ring and $100 for Marina

Friday, November 22 ◦Carries large package into work  Calls it “curtain rods” ◦Why is Tippit not at Dealey? Conspiracy Theory? ◦Oswald acted alone ◦But…at the request of Santo Trafficante, Carlos Marcello, John Martino, and probably Sam Giancana.

More Documents? US Government to release any remaining documents in… ◦After all the key players have died

What Do You Believe?