The Kennedy The Kennedy AssassinationAssassination

November 22, 1963Friday

Dallas, Texas

Clip 1

John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy

Jacqueline KennedyJacqueline Kennedy

JFK

Jackie

Gov. John Connally (TX)

Why is Kennedy in Texas?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?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 - DallasDealey Plaza - Dallas

Love Field

Trademart

Many people watching the parade.

Made had still cameras.

Some had movie cameras.

The Zapruder FilmThe 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 LocationZapruder’s Filming Location

Known as the “Grassy Knoll”

The Zapruder FilmThe Zapruder Film

Clint Hill Reading, 4, 5

Timeline of Major EventsTimeline 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 dead

Clip 6

Lee Harvey OswaldLee Harvey Oswald

1:15 – Oswald shoots police officer Tippet1:50 – Oswald arrested in movie theater

Sunday - November 24, 1963

11:00 - Jack Ruby shoots Oswald ◦(on live TV!)

Monday – November 25, 1963

◦JFK buried (Arlington Nat. Cemetery)◦Oswald buried

Oswald’s Sniper’s “Nest” in Oswald’s Sniper’s “Nest” in DepositoryDepository

Mannlicher-Carcano RifleMannlicher-Carcano Rifle

VP Johnson Takes the Oath of Office Aboard Air Force One

Jack Ruby Shooting OswaldJack Ruby Shooting Oswald

Jack RubyJack 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.)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…..Warren Commission says…..

Oswald shot JFK by himself

Shot from the 6th floor of the Texas School Book Depository

Used an old Italian bolt-action rifle

Shot THREE bullets; hit JFK with TWO

Warren Commission says… 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

Conspiracy

Together Breathe

More than one involved

Why Think Conspiracy?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 Who Might Have Wanted JFK Dead?Dead?

Take a minute to brainstorm the possibilities….

Three Shots Fired

1. First shot missed JFK’s cara. JFK turns around at the soundb. James Teague hit of the cheek by a pavement fragment while standing ahead of the car.

2. Second hits both JFK and Connallya. The “Near-Pristine”b. The “Magic Bullet”

Path of the “Magic Bullet”Path of the “Magic Bullet”

The “Near Pristine or Magic The “Near Pristine or Magic Bullet”Bullet”

The Third Shot

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

Shots from the Grassy Knoll?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)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 Left-Wing Extremists (Communists)(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 Right-Wing Extremists (Conservative)(Conservative)

Upset over civil rights attempts

Wanted to see LBJ in office (from Texas)

More Documents?More Documents?

US Government to release any remaining documents in….

2029◦After all the key players have died

What Do You Believe?What Do You Believe?