Assassination of US President John F. Kennedy, 1963

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was assassinated 60 years ago today.

This event had a huge impact on the global public and even affected American history.

It was November 22, 1963, around noon. No one knew about the impending disaster. 

While moving through Dallas in an open-top limousine with his wife, shots were fired. The President, who was hit by three bullets in his neck, throat, and head, died on the way to Parkland Hospital.

President Kennedy's visit to Dallas was because his opponent in the 1964 elections was expected to be Barry Goldwater, the Republican Senator from Arizona. He believed that if he could defeat Goldwater decisively, he would be able to pass his desired reform laws through Congress.

The most significant issue preventing him from achieving this plan was the ongoing debates and rivalry between his vice president Johnson and two Democrats in the state of Texas, Governor John B. Connally and Senator Ralph Yarborough. To create a public image of unity, the President decided to include both politicians in a tour of the state.

At the moment the shots were fired, Governor Connally, who was in the limousine, survived despite being severely injured.

The assassination was captured on film by a man named Zapruder using an 8 mm Bell & Howell camera. Vice President Johnson took the oath of office the same day.

An Italian-made Manlicher Carcano rifle with a scope was used in the assassination. 

As the President waved to the crowd from the open-top limousine, the first bullet entered from beneath his neck and exited from his tie knot, the second bullet severely injured Dallas Governor Connally in the back, and the third bullet struck the upper part of Kennedy's head.

Numerous theories emerged after this event, the most well-known being claims that Israel, Mossad, and even the FBI were behind the assassination, and even allegations involving Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. Unfortunately, in the following years, President Kennedy’s brother Robert F. Kennedy would also fall victim to an assassination. He had served as Attorney General and advisor.