Mysterious Events
The Assassination of John F. Kennedy: A Mystery That Endures
November 22, 1963, remains one of the most infamous and tragic days in modern history. It was on this date that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. The official narrative, as presented by the Warren Commission, identified Lee Harvey Oswald as the lone gunman responsible for the president's death.
However, the events of that day have been the subject of widespread speculation, numerous investigations, and countless conspiracy theories. To this day, questions about what truly transpired on November 22, 1963, continue to fuel debate and intrigue.
The Events of November 22, 1963
President Kennedy was visiting Dallas as part of a campaign trip to mend political divisions within the Democratic Party ahead of the 1964 election. Crowds gathered along the motorcade route to catch a glimpse of the charismatic leader. At 12:30 p.m., as the presidential limousine passed the Texas School Book Depository, shots rang out. Kennedy was struck by two bullets: one in the neck and another fatal shot to the head.
Texas Governor John Connally, who was riding in the same car, was also seriously injured.
The motorcade rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital, but doctors were unable to save Kennedy. At 1:00 p.m., the 35th President of the United States was pronounced dead. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was traveling in a separate car, was sworn in as president aboard Air Force One later that day.
The Official Account
Within hours, authorities arrested Lee Harvey Oswald, a 24-year-old former Marine who had recently been employed at the Texas School Book Depository. Oswald was charged with the assassination of Kennedy and the murder of Dallas police officer J.D. Tippit, who was killed shortly after the president.
On November 24, before Oswald could stand trial, he was fatally shot by nightclub owner Jack Ruby in the basement of Dallas Police Headquarters, an event that added another layer of mystery to the case.
The Warren Commission, established by President Johnson to investigate the assassination, concluded in 1964 that Oswald acted alone.
The report stated that Oswald fired three shots from the sixth-floor window of the book depository, with one missing the motorcade, one injuring both Kennedy and Connally, and the final shot killing the president. The commissionβs findings, however, left many questions unanswered, and public skepticism about the "lone gunman" theory grew.
Other Theories
Some of the most prominent theories suggest that Kennedyβs death was the result of a coordinated effort involving multiple parties. Suspected culprits have included the CIA, the Mafia, Cuban exiles, pro-Castro forces, anti-Castro forces, and even elements within the U.S. government.
One of the most contentious points of debate is the trajectory of the bullets. The so-called "magic bullet theory," which posits that a single bullet caused multiple wounds to both Kennedy and Connally, has been widely criticized as implausible. Additionally, eyewitness accounts and amateur footage, such as the famous Zapruder film, have been meticulously analyzed for inconsistencies with the official narrative.
The House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA), which re-investigated the case in the late 1970s, concluded that Kennedy was "probably assassinated as a result of a conspiracy," citing evidence of a second gunman. However, the committeeβs findings were inconclusive, and no additional suspects were ever identified.
The Enduring Mystery
The assassination of John F. Kennedy remains a defining moment in American history, not only because of its impact on the nation but also because of the lingering doubts about what really happened. Over the years, declassified documents, forensic advancements, and new eyewitness accounts have emerged, yet no definitive answers have been found. For many, the lack of closure has transformed the event into one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the 20th century.
@TheNewsOwl Oswald did it.