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

The Assassination of JFK. 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.

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

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  1. The Assassination of JFK The Events, the Assassin, the Theories, and the Nation’s Reaction

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. 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)

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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)

  10. 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

  11. 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?

  12. 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…

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

  14. Evidence: Sniper’s Nest Revisited

  15. 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?

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

  17. 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”

  18. 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?

  19. 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?

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

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

  22. 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?

  23. 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.

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

  25. A Fallen Leader’s Final Resting Place

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