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Friday, November 22, 2019

"IS THAT A FIRECRACKER?"

A TRAGIC DAY IN DALLAS


Dallas, Texas (JFK+50) On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was hit by rifle fire during a motorcade through Dallas.  There were 17 cars and one press bus in line, with the President and Mrs. Kennedy and Texas Governor John B. Connally and Mrs. Connally riding in the presidential car.

Just after the turn onto Elm Street in Dealey Plaza, witnesses heard a noise.   Dallas Police Chief Jesse Curry, driving the lead car in front of the President, recalled someone saying, "Is that a firecracker?"   

The first noise was followed by what most witnesses believed to be two more.  The President sustained wounds in the throat, back and head.  Governor Connally was also severely wounded.  Secret Service agent Clint Hill, riding on the follow-up vehicle, made a valiant but failed attempt to reach the President after he saw him slump to the left.  

JFK was rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital where the medical staff did everything humanly possible to save him.   The President was pronounced dead at 1 p.m. local time.  John F. Kennedy was the 4th POTUS to be assassinated.  Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President.

With President Kennedy's remains on board, Air Force One returned to Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington where the body was taken to Bethesda for autopsy.

SOURCE

"LBJ and the Kennedy Killing," by James T. Tague, Trine Day LLC, Walterville, OR, 2013. 


The Knoxville News-Sentinel
November 22, 1963
Final Edition