History Book: Kennedy assassinated 60 years ago

NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Monday, November 27th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Nick Eicher.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: And I’m Mary Reichard. On November 21st, 1963, John F Kennedy arrives in Texas for two days of campaigning. Supporters crowd to see the popular President—with no idea what lies ahead. WORLD’s executive producer Paul Butler walks us through the events of the day the president was shot.

PAUL BUTLER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: U.S. President John F Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline spend the first night of their Texas trip in Fort Worth at The Texas Hotel. They awaken to a light rain on Friday, November 22nd. Several thousand people are gathered outside in a nearby parking lot—hoping to catch a glimpse of the President. Kennedy obliges with a brief, unscheduled appearance.

KENNEDY AT TEXAS HOTEL: Ladies and gentlemen…there are no faint hearts in Fort Worth. I appreciate you being here this morning…

He gives a short stump speech about national defense, the space race, and the economy.

KENNEDY: AT TEXAS HOTEL: In the final analysis, that strength depends on the willingness of the citizens of the United States to assume the burdens of leadership. I know one place where they are. Here in this rain in Fort Worth, Texas, we’re going forward.

AMBI: BAND MUSIC

Kennedy takes a few minutes to mingle throughout the crowd, shaking hands before heading back inside. He quickly changes out of his wet suit coat and heads to the first scheduled event for the day…a breakfast put on by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

TV ANNOUNCER: The crowd has been here since early this morning…

After the presentation of a Stetson hat and a hearty breakfast, the President addresses the attendees:

KENNEDY: This is a very dangerous and uncertain world. As I said earlier, on three occasions in the last three years the United States has had a direct confrontation. No one can say when it will come again…

Kennedy is in Texas because he believes it is a key state to winning re-election. But democratic party leaders here are at loggerheads. Kennedy and his cabinet hope that his visit will bring the warring parties together. If the Fort Worth stop is any indication, he is well on his way to accomplishing that goal. But the conflict is much more cantankerous in Dallas…the next stop on the President’s two day trip.

BOB WALKER: Good morning ladies and gentlemen, Bob Walker speaking from Dallas Love Field where a large crowd is gathered to await the arrival of the President and Mrs. John Fitzgerald Kennedy…

A throng of onlookers have been waiting at the airfield for hours. Thousands of people line the chest-high chain link fence. As the Kennedys disembark they make a beeline for the crowd.

BOB WALKER: He’s done what he’s done in several places…and gone right up to the fence to shake hands with people. It is great for the people and makes the egg shells even thinner for the secret service whose job it is to protect the man…

A well wisher gives the first lady a bouquet of red roses. She carries them with her to the waiting open-air limousine where Governor John Connally and his wife, Nellie, are already seated.

Earlier in the day, the car had a plastic bubble attached to keep out the rain…but now that the sun is out. It’s removed and the motorcade leaves for downtown.

BOB WALKER: Thousands will be on hand for that motorcade which will be in downtown Dallas. It’ll turn down Houston Street to Elm and under the Triple Underpass…

The procession is scheduled to end at the Dallas Trade Mart—10 miles away—where the President is scheduled to speak at a luncheon with Democrat party leaders and supporters.

RADIO ANNOUNCER: The President’s car is now turning on to Elm street, and it will only be a matter of minutes before he arrives at the Trade Mart.

Crowds line the streets waving American flags, and signs of support. Nellie Connally turns and says to the President: “You can’t say Dallas doesn’t love you now…” But just moments later, gunfire erupts.

RADIO ANNOUNCER: It appears as though something has happened in the motorcade route. I repeat, something has happened along the motorcade route.

WATSON: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, you’ll excuse the fact that I’m out of breath…

Dallas television station WFAA is one of the first media outlets to break the news that the President has been shot. Program manager Jay Watson had been on the scene and breaks into the regularly scheduled programming:

WATSON: Let me quote you this: Bulletin. President Kennedy and Governor John Connally have been cut down by an assassin’s bullet in downtown Dallas.

Watson tells viewers he heard at least three separate shots. Other witnesses say there was a fourth…hitting the President at least once in the head. The first lady screams. The Governor is also struck in the back…but survives. The President is rushed to nearby Parkland Hospital. But he is unresponsive. A priest administers last rites.

National newsman Walter Cronkite informs the nation:

CRONKITE: From Dallas, Texas. The flash, apparently official, President Kennedy died at one pm. [PAUSE] Vice President Lyndon Johnson has left the hospital in Dallas but we do not know to where he has proceeded…

Soon after the president's body is placed on Air Force One. At 2:38pm the somber Vice President stands in the middle of the aircraft’s crowded compartment with Jackie Kennedy by his side. She’s still wearing her blood stained dress. As Mrs. Johnson looks over his shoulder, Lyndon B. Johnson takes the oath of office—administered by US District Court Judge Sarah Hughes. The White House Press Secretary hastily records the ceremony using Air Force One's dictaphone.

HUGHES: I do solemnly swear…that I will faithfully execute…the Office of the President of the United States…

The next day, President Kennedy’s casket is brought to the Whitehouse.

TV ANNOUNCER: At the North Portico now. The pallbearers move the casket up the steps. Mrs. Kennedy following behind the casket. The Attorney General, other members of the family, and close Presidential aides and advisors going with her.

The nation is in shock. Like this San Diego woman who talked with News 8:

SAN DIEGO WOMAN: Oh my goodness…that’s one of the most terrible calamities…not for the political side but for the human side. Why, you can’t solve anything by killing.

In the 60 years since the assassination, theories abound about who all was involved, the number of shooters, government cover ups and more. The murder of Lee Harvey Oswald just days after his arrest continues to fuel speculation. We may never know.

But the assassination of President Kennedy marks a turning point in American politics and society. It ushers in an era of waning confidence in the nation—and its institutions—that continues to reverberate today.

That’s this week’s WORLD History Book. I’m Paul Butler.

Editor’s note: WORLD has edited this episode and transcript since its first airing to correct a misstatement about a secret service death. The only other fatality was Dallas police officer JD Tippitt in a separate shooting.

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