This Day in History…
November 22, 1963
“A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.” -
John F. Kennedy
The political tension during November 1963 was ample. It was just before President John F. Kennedy’s re-election. JFK was traveling the country campaigning for his party. Texas, known for it’s major Republican pull, was unhappy with his presidency. Talk of certain radical groups causing trouble was spread, but nothing out of the ordinary. Ask anybody who lived during the 1960’s, and most (if not all) would agree that November 22, 1963 was the day the world turned upside down. Today in history, the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy was assassinated by the hands of Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, TX.
The day was clear. Only a few remaining rain clouds blocked segments of the blue sky from those who looked. It seemed a day could not be more perfect. And yet once the clock hit 12:30, tragic American history was made. Kennedy, riding with his wife in an open convertible, were seen smiling and waving while driving through their motorcade. As soon as the convertible turned onto Dealey Plaza, two bullets were fired into the Texas air. One bullet hit the president in the head while the other hit Texas governor, John Connally. After being rushed to a nearby hospital, John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead, while Connally was under hospitalization for severe bullet wounds.
Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested and murdered in the days following the president’s passing. Many different conspiracy theories are out trying to analyze and figure out the schematics behind Kennedy’s assassination. It was not always clear to historians and detectives the motives and the execution of Oswald’s actions. All these theories, however, still show the bravery and love that Kennedy showed for his country.
The president and the first family were seen as major icons throughout many 1960’s households. The news of his death affected many. His assassination was described as “the shot heard around the world”. Not only did the people of America suffer in grief, but the rest of the world saw him as a good man who wanted to change his country for the better. This day in history was indeed a very sad one. It was and will be remembered for many more years.
Citations:
Kaplan, Fred. "Why The Best Conspiracy Theories About JFK’S Assassination Are
Bunk". Slate Magazine. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Nov. 2016.
"The Shot Felt ‘Round The World - Reactions To The JFK Assassination - Association For Diplomatic Studies And Training". Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Nov. 2016.
