Download JANUARY 2014 — JFK: 72 Hours that ChangeD America Setting the

News in Review – January 2014 – Teacher Resource Guide
JFK: 72 Hours that Changed America
SETTING THE STAGE
September 11, 2001 will always remain a
defining moment in history for millions. Shock
and disbelief still affect those old enough to
remember this horrible tragedy. For an earlier
generation the event that had a similar impact
was November 22, 1963. It was 50 years ago in
Dallas, Texas that John F. Kennedy (JFK), a
young, vibrant president was assassinated.
The world was stunned, and for four days,
millions stayed by their television sets watching
coverage of the events. A suspect was soon
arrested but was just as quickly murdered.
These horrible events set off a series of
conspiracy theories that questioned how one
person could successfully kill the most powerful
man in the world and how the alleged assassin
could also be killed so soon after his arrest.
JFK’s White House years
Kennedy had been U.S. president for only three
years when he was assassinated. Elected to the
office at the age of 43, he was seen as a bright
light who would usher in a new decade of
prosperity and peace. He had all the required
characteristics: a war hero who had saved many
of his crew from a gun boat sunk by the
Japanese in World War II; a Harvard University
graduate; a member of a powerful family with a
father that had been U.S. Ambassador to
Britain; husband to a beautiful and dignified
wife; and the first Catholic president.
Though his tenure as president was short,
Kennedy had dealt with major crises, including
confronting the Russians over their installation
of nuclear missiles in Cuba. The president
demanded the Russians remove the missiles and
ordered a blockade of the island. The Cuban
Missile Crisis ended when the Russians backed
down. Kennedy also faced the emotional issue
of segregation. On more than one occasion
during this turbulent time in the U.S. civil rights
movement, Kennedy ordered the police and
national guard to protect black protesters and
News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca
18
JANUARY 2014 — JFK: 72 HOURS THAT CHANGED AMERICA
students. By 1963 he was gearing up for the
upcoming presidential election, confident he
would win a second term. To help solidify his
support in the south, he agreed to travel to
Texas.
Big crowds in Dallas
On Friday, November 22 Air Force One, the
presidential plane, landed in sunny Dallas. The
president and Mrs. Kennedy were pleasantly
surprised to see a large friendly crowd greet
them as they descended from the plane. There
had been concerns that there might be protests
against the president. One organization had
even printed wanted posters of the president.
Considering the friendly crowds and the
beautiful weather, the president insisted on
leaving down the presidential limousine’s
bubble top, normally raised for his protection.
Along the route, the crowds cheered the
presidential couple. Texas Governor John
Connolly, seated just ahead of the president,
was prompted to lean back and say, “Mr.
President, you can't say Dallas doesn't love
you.”
It sounded like firecrackers
Shortly thereafter the presidential cavalcade
passed the Texas Book Depository. As the car
passed a road sign a loud noise reverberated in
the square. Some people thought firecrackers
had been lit. However to the secret service
agents riding behind the president the sound
was all too familiar — a gun shot. The president
grabbed his throat and leaned towards Mrs.
Kennedy. Almost immediately a second shot
was fired and the president was struck in the
head. His skull exploded and he fell against
Mrs. Kennedy. She crawled onto the back of the
car, but a secret service agent pushed her back
into the limousine. He spread-eagled himself
across the back seat to try and protect the
couple. It was only at this point that he realized
that not only had the president been shot but
also the Texas governor.
Kennedy’s last moments
The limousine sped up and headed for Parkland
Hospital where doctors were told to prepare to
attend a gunshot victim. The president was
removed from the car and taken to the
emergency room where a number of physicians
worked to stabilize him. However, it quickly
became apparent that the gunshot had done
severe damage and there was little hope of
saving the president. Two priests were
summoned to provide the president with the last
rites. At approximately 1:08 the president was
pronounced dead. Vice President Lyndon
Johnson was quickly taken back to Air Force
One where he was administered the oath of
office and became the 36th president of the
United States.
Shock around the world
All across the U.S. and around the world,
people reacted with shock and dismay. This
event so traumatized people that most can even
today remember exactly where they were and
what they were doing when they heard the
news. People immediately turned on their
televisions for the latest news. For the next 48
hours millions were transfixed by the images
and news reported from Dallas.
Shortly after President Kennedy was shot the
police forces began searching for suspects. A
number of people in the plaza where the
shooting had taken place indicated shots had
been fired from the sixth floor of the Texas
Textbook Depository. Other witnesses reported
they heard shots coming from the grassy knoll
located ahead of the presidential car. Police
searched the sixth floor of the depository and
found a rifle and boxes stacked as a perch where
a person could aim the rifle. Police were able to
account for all the employees except one —
Lee Harvey Oswald.
News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca
19
JANUARY 2014 — JFK: 72 HOURS THAT CHANGED AMERICA
Oswald once a defector
A second assassination
Oswald had been a member of the Marines and
was considered a good marksman. He had left
the Marines after becoming disillusioned with
the military and American foreign policy. He
defected to communist Russia. The Russians
were suspicious of Oswald and thought he
might be an American spy. While in Russia
Oswald met a Russian girl and married her.
After a brief time he decided that he wanted to
return to the United States. When he returned,
he joined the Fair Treatment for Cuba
organization that demanded the American
government stop its aggressive actions towards
Cuba and its economic boycott.
On Sunday in Dallas the next chapter in this
drama would take place. The police announced
that they intended to move Oswald to a more
secure location. The press were allowed to
witness the transfer; the downstairs garage was
filled with television cameras, news
broadcasters and the police. In front of a
worldwide audience, Oswald was led out
towards an armoured car when a figure lunged
from the crowd and fired. As pandemonium
ensued, police grabbed the shooter (later
identified as local nightclub owner Jack Ruby).
Oswald was rushed to the same hospital where
President Kennedy had been treated. Doctors
worked on Oswald but were unable to save him.
Within two days, a president had been
assassinated and his alleged shooter had also
been killed. This was fertile ground for
conspiracy theorists (see following page).
Oswald had left the depository before the police
arrived. They issued an all-points bulletin.
When he was spotted by J.D. Tippit, a police
officer who confronted him, Oswald pulled out
a pistol and killed the officer. He hurriedly
moved on and entered a movie theatre. The
police were informed, and when they
confronted Oswald, he tried to shoot the
arresting officer but his gun jammed. The police
took Oswald to the Dallas police station and
charged him with the murders of Officer Tippit
and President Kennedy. Oswald denied he
killed anyone and claimed he was framed for
these crimes.
The end of Camelot
The assassination of President Kennedy affected
Americans who saw this event as a loss of
innocence. During Kennedy’s early years in the
White House many commentators compared
this youthful president and his young family to
the happy, prosperous leaders of the mythical
Official mourning begins
Meanwhile President Kennedy’s body was
flown back to Washington and plans were made
for his funeral. His body lay in state in the
White House, and the next day it was taken to
Capitol Hill where thousands of citizens paid
their respects. A full state funeral was
scheduled for Monday, November 25. Many
people watched as Mrs. Kennedy and her
children accompanied the body to the Capitol
and knelt by the coffin. All were amazed with
the composure Mrs. Kennedy exhibited during
these difficult moments.
News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca
20
JANUARY 2014 — JFK: 72 HOURS THAT CHANGED AMERICA
kingdom of Camelot. Now it seemed that
positive elements of that time died with the
president. Would history have been changed if
Kennedy had lived? Would the U.S. have gotten
involved in the devastating war in Vietnam?
Would civil rights have been implemented
sooner with this president? These are the “ifs”
of history and one can only speculate. Yet no
one can deny that the events of 50 years ago
still impact a generation who will never forget
where they were on that horrible day.
Was Oswald a lone gunman?
Over the decades discussions of President
Kennedy’s death have often focused on
whether or not Oswald was the assassin, if he
acted on his own, if he was part of a larger
conspiracy, or if he was set up and silenced.
Conspiracy theories have included:
Organized Crime
When he was a senator, Kennedy was involved in committee hearings investigating organized crime.
JFK and his brother Robert pressured members of the mob and exposed many of their illegal
activities. Threats had been made against the Kennedys and some theorists feel the mob used
Oswald and then had him silenced by Ruby.
The Cuban Connection
In 1959 the Cuban dictator was overthrown and replaced by populist guerrilla leader Fidel Castro. At
first Castro sought friendly relations with the United States. However he resented American
interference and soon aligned Cuba with communist Russia. In 1961 President Kennedy approved an
invasion of Cuban exiles against the Castro regime. However the exiles were defeated at the Bay of
Pigs, with many either killed or captured. Again, conspiracy theorists suggest that Castro wanted
revenge and recruited Oswald, a known sympathizer to assassinate the president.
The Grassy Knoll
When the first film reports of the assassination were shown, a number of people were seen pointing
to the grassy knoll that was located further down the street from the book depository. Witnesses
claimed they had heard shots come from that direction. This theory seemed to be supported by film
taken by a bystander which showed the president grabbing his throat after the first shot and his
head jerking back after the second shot. This head movement convinced some that a shot had come
from the front of the car.
News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca
21
JANUARY 2014 — JFK: 72 HOURS THAT CHANGED AMERICA
VIDEO REVIEW
Pre-viewing
1. What do you consider to be the most significant event in your life? What criteria did you use to
identify the event?
2. When a mysterious or traumatic event occurs people often tend to reject simple answers and seek
more complicated answers. Why do you think people act in this manner?
While viewing
1. What impressions do you have of John F. Kennedy as you watch the video? What image did he
present?
2. Why was the assassination seen as more than just the unfortunate death of a person?
3. As you listen to the video how can you tell that this event had a profound impact on people?
4. What consequences did the assassination have on the city of Dallas?
News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca
22
JANUARY 2014 — JFK: 72 HOURS THAT CHANGED AMERICA
Post-viewing
1. a) Since his assassination, JFK has been idolized as a young, vibrant leader struck down in the
prime of his life and presidency. Does he deserve this place in history? Interpretations have
changed over the decades. Examine the editorial written the day after his death and compare it to
the one written in 2013.
Attributes listed in 1963
Attributes listed in 2013
Possible sources
 Editorial in 1963: www.washingtonpost.com/r/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2013/11/19/EditorialOpinion/Graphics/historynov23.pdf

Assessment in 2013: millercenter.org/president/kennedy/essays/biography/9
b) How was he judged in 1963? Has that opinion changed in 2013?
2. It did not take long after the assassination for conspiracy theories to be developed. Assess the
theories summarized on the website below. Use the accompanying organizer to help you.
Theory

Arguments presented
Problems with the theory (if any)
Who killed JFK? 50 years of conspiracy theories:
www.theweek.co.uk/us/jfk-anniversary/55933/who-killed-jfk-50-years-conspiracy-theories
News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca
23
JANUARY 2014 — JFK: 72 HOURS THAT CHANGED AMERICA
b) Do you think JFK’s assassination was a conspiracy? If so, which theory do you think is the most
convincing?
c) Examine this site supporting the theory that Oswald acted alone: oswald-is-guilty.blogspot.ca/.
What do you believe?
3. The assassination is being officially commemorated in the United States yet many Canadians also
paused to reflect on the event. Why would Canadians care about event that took place in another
country?
4. Is there a current leader who you think matches the charisma of Kennedy and whose death would
have a similar impact?
5. Try to find someone who was living in 1963 and ask if they remember where they were when
Kennedy was killed. What recollections does the person have of those days in 1963?
News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca
24