JFK assassination – what really happened and why it still matters

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was shot while riding in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas. The event shocked the world and sparked a wave of questions that still pop up in news feeds and school projects. If you’re looking for a quick, straight‑forward rundown, you’ve come to the right place.

The basic timeline

At 12:30 p.m. Central Time, the presidential limousine passed the Texas School Book Depository. A gunman fired three shots from the sixth floor. The first bullet missed, the second struck both Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally, and the third was the fatal headshot. By 1:00 p.m., the President was declared dead at Parkland Hospital.

Who fired the shots?

The official Warren Commission report named Lee Harvey Oswald as the lone shooter. Oswald was a former Marine who had spent time in the Soviet Union and was working at the book‑depository that day. He was arrested a few hours later for the murder of a police officer, then charged with the President’s assassination. Two days after his arrest, Jack Ruby shot Oswald in the basement of the Dallas police station, ending any chance of a courtroom answer.

While the Commission’s conclusion still holds legal weight, many people aren’t convinced. Over the decades, alternative theories have emerged, pointing to the CIA, the Mafia, anti‑Cuban groups, or even a second gunman on the grassy knoll. None of these theories have been proven, but they keep the debate alive in books, documentaries, and online forums.

Why the mystery endures

Part of the lasting intrigue comes from the sheer amount of paperwork and footage that followed the tragedy. The House Select Committee on Assassinations in the late 1970s re‑examined the evidence and suggested there was probably a conspiracy, though it didn’t name specific players. The mix of classified documents, contradictory testimonies, and endless speculation fuels a “what‑if” mindset that’s hard to shake.

Another factor is how the assassination reshaped American politics. Kennedy’s death cut short a presidency that promised big social programs, civil‑rights advances, and a new approach to the Cold War. The sudden shift to Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration changed the legislative agenda and set the stage for the Vietnam escalation. Understanding the event helps explain many later policy decisions.

What you can explore next

If you want to dig deeper, start with the Warren Commission’s public report – it’s surprisingly readable for a government document. Then check out the 1991 film “JFK” by Oliver Stone for a dramatized view of the conspiracy angle. Finally, keep an eye on the National Archives; they’re still releasing files related to the case, and new details surface from time to time.

Whether you’re a history buff, a curious student, or just someone who heard the name in a conversation, the JFK assassination remains a pivotal moment with layers you can keep unwrapping. The facts are clear, the theories are many, and the impact is still felt today. Keep asking questions, and you’ll always find something new to learn about that fateful Dallas day.