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The Assassination of JFK. The Events, the Assassin, the Theories, and the Reaction of the People. 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.
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The Assassination of JFK The Events, the Assassin, the Theories, and the Reaction of the People
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 6th 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 Bramm – eyewitness account, father watching w/ son
The Events of the Assassination(5) • At 1:00 PM on November 22nd, 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 • Previous Assassination Attempt – • April 10th, 1963 – Planned & attempted to kill former Gen. Walker – critic of Castro • Texas School Book Depository – • October 1963 – Oswald gets job working there (site of shooting)
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?
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 Two Basic Views of the Assassination 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: The Assassin • Motive • Did he have the motivation to pull off the assassination? • TSBD – Rifle & “Snipers Nest” • Rifle had his fingerprints on it, 3 shells found in area around the snipers nest • Accuracy of Shots • Could he have gotten 3 shots off in 8 seconds with great accuracy?
Evidence: The Witnesses • How reliable is the eyewitness testimony? • Where were the shots fired from? • How many shots were fired? • Jean Hill & Mary Moorman eyewitness accounts
Evidence: “The Magic Bullet” • The seating position – Is Connally directly in front of Kennedy or not? • Does the Single Bullet Theory hold up? • Movie JFK’s depiction of “Magic Bullet”
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 Zapruder Film • The Zapruder home movie of the JFK Assassination is the only known film of the entire assassination. It is a silent, 8mm color record of the Kennedy motorcade just before, during and immediately after the shooting. • When is Kennedy shot? When is Connally shot? • In what direction does Kennedy’s head move on the 2nd shot?
Evidence: The Zapruder Film(2) • The Zapruder Film (enhanced) • In this version of the film, the events within the car are blown up and slowed down. The frame numbers are listed. • Check to see if this version changes your interpretation http://www.jfkmurdersolved.com/headshot.htm
Evidence: “The Magic Bullet”(3) • 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?
What Really Happened? • We may never know for sure what really happened that day or who was involved. • Oswald as lone gunner is most widely accepted, BUT there is still much debate even today. • What is do you think?
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