JFK Assassination: What Happened and Why It Still Captivates Us
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was shot while riding in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas. The world stopped for a moment, and the images of that day still echo in news feeds and documentaries. If you’re curious about what really went down, why the official story still raises eyebrows, and how it shapes politics today, you’re in the right place.
The Day of the Shooting
The motorcade followed Elm Street and turned onto Dealey Plaza. At 12:30 PM, shots rang out from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository. Kennedy was hit in the head and neck, and Texas Governor John Connally, sitting in front of him, was also wounded.
Lee Harvey Harvey Oswald was quickly identified as the lone gunman. He was an ex‑Marine who had lived in the Soviet Union and was known for his pro‑Cuban views. The Warren Commission, set up by President Lyndon Johnson, concluded that Oswald acted alone.
Oswald never faced trial – he was killed two days later by nightclub owner Jack Ruby, who shot him on live TV. That abrupt end left many questions unanswered and fed a wave of speculation that still lingers.
Major Theories and Investigations
Even after the Warren Report, dozens of people have challenged the lone‑shooter narrative. Some argue there were multiple shooters, pointing to the infamous "grassy knoll" footage that seems to show another gunman.
Other theories bring in the CIA, Mafia, or even Vice President Lyndon Johnson as possible conspirators. The House Select Committee on Assassinations in the late 1970s concluded there was likely a second gunman, but couldn’t prove it.
Recent releases of FBI and CIA files have added bits of context, but nothing that settles the debate. What remains clear is that the assassination triggered a massive shift in American trust toward government institutions.
Beyond the politics, the event reshaped media coverage. The live broadcast of the shooting and the subsequent funeral set a new standard for how breaking news is reported worldwide.
So, why does the JFK assassination still matter? Because it’s a case study in how a single moment can ripple through history, affecting everything from civil rights to foreign policy. It also shows the power of unanswered questions – they keep people digging, writing books, making movies, and, most importantly, questioning authority.
If you want to dig deeper, look for reputable documentaries, the original Warren Report, and the later HSCA findings. Each source adds a layer to the puzzle, and together they help you form your own view of what happened on that fateful Dallas day.
Whether you think it was a lone gunman or a sprawling conspiracy, the JFK assassination remains a touchstone for anyone interested in modern American history. It reminds us that events we witness on TV can change the course of a nation, and that the truth is often more complicated than the headlines suggest.
