John F. Kennedy was perhaps one of the most famous presidents in U.S. history. JFK’s birthday is on May 29th, so I wanted to honor him by explaining the story of his assassination to the best of my ability.
November 22nd, 1963, was the day that undoubtedly changed America forever. President at the time, John F. Kennedy was having a rally in Dallas, Texas, to smooth over some very heavy issues with the Democratic Party and the liberals, Ralph Yarborough, Don Yarborough, and John Connally. All three men agreed to meet with President Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson for a gathering.
John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, Nellie Connally and John Connally all were riding together in a Lincoln Continental 4-door convertible. John F. Kennedy insisted that they convert the car so that he could wave to all or any of his supporters. That was John’s biggest mistake. The route that the car was taking was straightforward, with only a few turns in between. The catch was that the turns required the car to cut down and go 5 miles per hour while turning. John F. Kennedy's driver William Robert Greer turned on Elm Street where the Texas School Book Depository is located. The car was speeding up to keep straight. John F. Kennedy started waving on the right side of the car, showing his supporters love. At exactly 12:30 Kennedy was struck by a 6.5× 52 mm bullet to the neck; seconds later, Kennedy was struck by another 6.5× 52 mm bullet to the head, killing him. The world was in a state of shock at the sight of John F. Kennedy's head slumped over on his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy. Jacqueline warned the police surrounding the car. John Connally and his wife were both seriously injured because stray bullets struck them as well. John F. Kennedy was rushed to the hospital and at 1 pm, he was pronounced dead at Parkland Memorial Hospital.
The shooter, Lee Harvey Oswald, was a former marine and top sniper. After killing John F. Kennedy, he attempted to flee the scene. A police officer spotted Lee running out of the building and tried to arrest him; Lee proceeded to kill the officer with his handgun and got onto a bus to escape. Lee left two sniper cartridges in the building. He also left a handprint and many fingerprints on the 6th-story window of the Texas School Book Depository. At 2:15 the same day, Lee Harvey Oswald was caught casually walking on the road. Two days later, Lee was brutally murdered at a nightclub by a police informant, Jack Ruby. Lee was enrolled within the Marines in 1956, where he found his talent at shooting snipers. Lee being one of the most effective snipers of his class, he left the Marines in 1959. In 1962, Lee moved to Texas together with his wife and young daughter; a couple of years later, he purchased a sniper with a gunsight and a .38 revolver. That year, he allegedly attempted to shoot retired U.S. Major General Edwin, but never succeeded. He despised John F. Kennedy's Presidency for several reasons, which are currently unknown. So, when he heard John was coming into town, he took this chance to murder him.
John F. Kennedy's name will always be remembered for how good of an individual he was and for the way he led our country. I also want to say happy birthday to John F. Kennedy. I hope you found this text not only interesting, but I also hope you learned something. Rest in peace, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 1917-1963.
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