Introduction to the Kennedy Assassination
President John F. Kennedy did not want to go to Texas, but he had to, because the upcoming 1964 election may have depended on it. The trip was an attempt to pacify the rift between Texas democrats, Governor John Connally, and Senator Ralph Yarborough, because without that truce, Kennedy could not be assured of carrying Texas, even with home son Lyndon Johnson on the ticket.
It rained Friday morning in Dallas, but by 9:30, the clouds had disappeared. Air Force One touched down at Love Field at 11:37 CST. There was a motorcade planned that would take the President and Mrs. Kennedy, along with Governor Connally, and his wife Nellie in the president's limousine. In one of the followup cars would be Vice President Lyndon and Mrs. Johnson, and Senator Yarborough.
The motorcade was to wind through the streets of Dallas, concluding at the Trade Mart at approximately 12:30. Due to the President's friendliness with the crowd at Love Field, shaking hands with many people, the motorcade was behind schedule as it left. The crowds were friendly during the parade, and as the president's limousine turned from Main Street onto Houston at 12:29, Mrs. Connally turned to the President and said, "Well, Mr. President, you can't say Dallas doesn't love you." Little did Kennedy know as those words were being spoke, that he had less than a minute to live. As the President's limousine turned onto Elm Street, the Hertz sign at the top of the Texas School Book Depository read 12:30.
All of a sudden, a loud explosion which several witnesses said sounded like a firecracker rang out. The President brought his hands, with the arms bent at the elbows up towards his head. Governor Connally heard the sound, and turned to his right, then his left, and was hit in the back by a bullet. A few seconds later, another bullet smashed into the President's head, spraying everyone near with blood and brain matter.
The motorcade raced to Parkland Memorial Hospital, where the President was declared dead at 1:00 CST.