Assassination of John F. Kennedy

{{Short description|1963 murder of the 35th U.S. President}}
{{Redirect|Kennedy assassination|the assassination of John's brother Robert|Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy}}
{{Redirect|November 22, 1963|the date|November 1963#November 22, 1963 (Friday){{!}}November 22, 1963 (Friday)}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Pp|reason=Persistent [[WP:Disruptive editing|disruptive editing]] This has been going on forever. Enough.|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title            = Assassination of John F. Kennedy
| image            = JFK limousine.png
| caption          = President [[John F. Kennedy]], his wife [[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis|Jacqueline]], Texas governor [[John Connally]], and Connally's wife [[Nellie Connally|Nellie]] in the [[Presidential state car (United States)#Kennedy X-100 (1961–1977)|presidential limousine]] minutes before the assassination in Dallas
| alt              =  President John F. Kennedy, his wife Jacqueline, Texas governor John Connally, and Connally's wife Nellie in the presidential limousine minutes before the assassination in Dallas
| location         = [[Dealey Plaza]] in [[Dallas]], Texas, U.S.
| target           = [[John F. Kennedy]]
| date             = {{start date and age|1963|11|22|mf=y}}
| time             = 12:30 p.m.
| timezone         = [[Central Standard Time|CST]]
| weapons          = {{ubl|[[John F. Kennedy assassination rifle|6.5×52mm Italian Carcano M91/38 rifle]] (Kennedy)|[[John F. Kennedy assassination rifle#Revolver|.38 cal Smith & Wesson revolver]] (Tippit)}}
| fatalities       = {{ubl|John F. Kennedy|[[J. D. Tippit]]}}
| injuries         = {{ubl|[[John Connally]]|[[James Tague]]}}
| perp             = [[Lee Harvey Oswald]]
| charges          = [[Murder (United States law)|Murder]] with [[Malice (law)|malice]] (2 counts, [[Murder of Lee Harvey Oswald|murdered]] before trial)
}}

On November 22, 1963, [[John F. Kennedy]], the 35th [[president of the United States]], was [[assassinated]] while riding in a presidential [[motorcade]] through [[Dealey Plaza]] in [[Dallas]], Texas. Kennedy was in the vehicle with his wife, [[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis|Jacqueline]], Texas Governor [[John Connally]], and Connally's wife, [[Nellie Connally|Nellie]], when he was fatally shot from the nearby [[Texas School Book Depository]] by former U.S. Marine [[Lee Harvey Oswald]]. The motorcade rushed to [[Parkland Memorial Hospital]], where Kennedy was pronounced dead about 30 minutes after the shooting; Connally was also wounded in the attack but recovered. Vice President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] [[First inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson|was hastily sworn in as president]] two hours and eight minutes later aboard [[Air Force One]] at [[Dallas Love Field]].

After the assassination, Oswald returned home to retrieve a pistol; he shot and killed lone Dallas policeman [[J. D. Tippit]] shortly afterwards. Around 70 minutes after Kennedy and Connally were shot, Oswald was apprehended by the [[Dallas Police Department]] and charged under Texas state law with the murders of Kennedy and Tippit. At 11:21&nbsp;a.m. on November 24, 1963, as live television cameras covered Oswald's being moved through the basement of [[Dallas Municipal Building|Dallas Police Headquarters]], he was fatally shot by Dallas nightclub operator [[Jack Ruby]]. Like Kennedy, Oswald was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital, where he soon died. Ruby was convicted of Oswald's murder, though the decision was overturned on appeal, and Ruby died in prison in 1967 while awaiting a new trial.

After a 10-month investigation, the [[Warren Commission]] concluded that Oswald assassinated Kennedy, and that there was no evidence that either Oswald or Ruby was part of a conspiracy. In 1967, New Orleans District Attorney [[Jim Garrison]] brought the only [[Trial of Clay Shaw|trial for Kennedy's murder]], against businessman [[Clay Shaw]]; Shaw was acquitted. Subsequent federal investigations—such as the [[United States President's Commission on CIA Activities within the United States|Rockefeller Commission]] and [[Church Committee]]—agreed with the Warren Commission's general findings. In its 1979 report, the [[United States House Select Committee on Assassinations]] (HSCA) concluded that Kennedy was likely "[[John F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories|assassinated as a result of a conspiracy]]". The HSCA did not identify possible conspirators, but concluded that there was "a high probability that two gunmen fired at [the] President". The HSCA's conclusions were largely based on a [[John F. Kennedy assassination Dictabelt recording|police Dictabelt recording]] later debunked by the [[United States Justice Department|U.S. Justice Department]].

Kennedy's assassination is still the subject of widespread debate and has spawned many conspiracy theories and alternative scenarios; polls found that a majority of Americans believed there was a conspiracy. The assassination left a profound impact and was the first of four major assassinations during the [[1960s in the United States]], coming two years before the [[assassination of Malcolm X]] in 1965, and five years before the assassinations of [[assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.|Martin Luther King Jr.]] and Kennedy's brother [[assassination of Robert F. Kennedy|Robert]] in 1968. Kennedy was the fourth U.S. president to be assassinated and is the most recent to have [[List of presidents of the United States who died in office|died in office]].

==Background==
===Kennedy===
{{Main|John F. Kennedy}}
{{Further|Presidency of John F. Kennedy}}
[[File:John F. Kennedy speaks at Rice University.jpg|thumb|upright=.6|[[John F. Kennedy|Kennedy]] delivering his "[[We choose to go to the Moon]]" speech at [[Rice University]], 1962|alt=President Kennedy is pictured speaking behind a podium. Rice University's stadium is visible behind him.]]
In 1960, [[John F. Kennedy]], then a [[United States Senate|U.S. senator]] from [[Massachusetts]], was elected the 35th [[president of the United States]] with [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] as his vice presidential running mate.<ref>[[#WhiteHouse|"John F. Kennedy". The White House.]]</ref><ref>[[#Senate|"John F. Kennedy: A Featured Biography". United States Senate.]]</ref><ref name="bugliosixi">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (1998)]], p. xi.</ref><ref>[[#Electoral|"1960 Electoral College Results". National Archives.]]</ref> Kennedy's tenure saw the height of the [[Cold War]], and much of his foreign policy was dedicated to countering the [[Soviet Union]] and [[communism]].<ref>[[#Cold|"1960 The Cold War". John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.]]</ref><ref>[[#Sabato|Sabato (2013)]], pp. 422–423.</ref> As president, he authorized operations to overthrow [[Fidel Castro]]'s communist government in [[Cuba]],<ref>[[#Hinckle and Turner|Hinckle & Turner (1981)]], pp. ix, 15, 18.</ref> which culminated in the failed [[Bay of Pigs Invasion]] in 1961, during which he declined to directly involve American troops.<ref>[[#Jones|Jones (2008)]], pp. 41, 50, 94.</ref> The following year, Kennedy deescalated the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], an incident widely regarded as the closest that humanity has come to [[nuclear holocaust]].<ref>[[#Borger|Borger (2022)]]</ref>

In 1963, Kennedy decided to travel to Texas to smooth over frictions in the [[Texas Democratic Party|state's Democratic Party]] between liberal U.S. Senator [[Ralph Yarborough]] and conservative Governor [[John Connally]].<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 13–16.</ref><ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], pp. 17–23.</ref> The visit was first agreed upon by Kennedy, Johnson, and Connally during a meeting in [[El Paso, Texas|El Paso]] in June.<ref name="WarrenCommission-Page28">[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 28.</ref> The motorcade route was finalized on November 18 and announced soon thereafter.<ref name="warren40"/> Kennedy also viewed the Texas trip as an informal launch of his [[1964 United States presidential election|1964 reelection campaign]].<ref>[[#White|White (1965)]], p. 3.</ref>

===Oswald===
{{Main|Lee Harvey Oswald}}
{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | total_width = 450
 | image1 = Pizzo Exh B-Oswald leaflets FPFC-WH Vol21 139.jpg
 | alt1 = Oswald is pictured passing out pamphlets on a street in New Orleans. Other men, possibly Cuban, are also passing out pamphlets behind him.
 | caption1 = [[Lee Harvey Oswald]] (center) and others distributing pro-[[Fidel Castro|Castro]] leaflets in New Orleans, August 16, 1963.
 | image2 = Lee Harvey Oswald with rifle, taken in Oswald's back yard, Neely Street, Dallas Texas, March 1963, CE133A.jpg
 | alt2 = Oswald is pictured posing in a backyard. He holds rifle in his left hand and a leftist publication in his right.
 | caption2 = A photograph of Oswald posing with [[John F. Kennedy assassination rifle|his rifle]], holstered pistol, and communist literature{{efn|group=note|This photo and a similar one are known as the "backyard photographs"; according to Bugliosi, it is one of the pieces of evidence most damning for Oswald. Oswald told Dallas police that the photographs were not genuine and that someone must have superimposed his head.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 792.</ref> Marina Oswald testified that she took the pictures.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 793.</ref>}}
}}

[[Lee Harvey Oswald]] (born 1939)<ref>[[#Pontchartrain|Pontchartrain (2019)]]</ref> was a former [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine]] who had served in Japan and the Philippines and had espoused communism since reading [[Karl Marx]] at the age of 14.<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 683.</ref><ref name="Philippines">[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], p. 28.</ref><ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], pp. 17–19.</ref>  After accidentally shooting his elbow with an unauthorized handgun and fighting an officer, Oswald was court-martialed twice and demoted.<ref name="Philippines"/> In September 1959, he received a [[Military discharge|dependency discharge]] after claiming his mother was disabled.<ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], pp. 32–33.</ref> A 19-year-old Oswald sailed on a freighter from [[New Orleans]] to France and then traveled to Finland, where he was issued a Soviet visa.<ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], pp. 32–33, 46.</ref>

Oswald [[defection|defected]] to the Soviet Union,<ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], pp. 46–53.</ref>{{efn|group=note|In 1964, KGB Agent [[Yuri Nosenko]] defected to the United States. He divulged that Soviet intelligence surveilled Oswald, regarded him as mentally unstable, and had no association with him.<ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], pp. 34–36.</ref> Although the FBI trusted Nosenko, the CIA believed that he was a [[Mole (espionage)|mole]] and convinced the Warren Commission not to interview him.<ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], pp. 38–39.</ref>}} and in January 1960 he was sent to work at a factory in [[Minsk]], Belarus.<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 697.</ref><ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], p. 53.</ref> In 1961, he met and married [[Marina Oswald Porter|Marina Prusakova]],<ref>[[#McMillan|McMillan (1977)]], pp. 64–65.</ref> with whom he had a child.<ref name="Warren 1964, p. 712">[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 712.</ref> In 1962, he returned to the United States with a repatriation loan from the U.S. Embassy.<ref name="Warren 1964, p. 712"/> He settled in the [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex|Dallas/Fort Worth]] area,<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 714.</ref> where he socialized with Russian émigrés—notably [[George de Mohrenschildt]].<ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], pp. 82–83, 85, 100.</ref><ref>[[#Summers|Summers (2013)]], pp. 152–160.</ref> In March 1963, a bullet narrowly missed General [[Edwin Walker]] at his Dallas residence; a witness observed two conspicuous men. Relying on Marina's testimony, a note left by Oswald, and ballistic evidence, the [[Warren Commission]] attributed this assassination attempt to Oswald.<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 183.</ref>

In April 1963, Oswald returned to his birthplace, New Orleans,<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 403.</ref> and established an independent chapter of the pro-Castro [[Fair Play for Cuba Committee]], of which he was the sole member.<ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], pp. 125–127.</ref><ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], pp. 728–729.</ref> While passing out pro-Castro literature alongside unknown compatriots, Oswald was arrested after scuffling with anti-Castro [[Cuban exiles]].<ref>[[#Summers|Summers (2013)]], p. 211.</ref><ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], pp. 151–152.</ref>{{efn|group=note|At Oswald's request, he met with FBI Special Agent John Quigley while in custody. Posner cites this as proof that Oswald was not a government agent, questioning why he might "blow his cover".<ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], pp. 153–155.</ref>}} In late September 1963, Oswald traveled to [[Mexico City]], where, according to the Warren Commission, he visited the Soviet and Cuban embassies.<ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], pp. 172–190.</ref> 
On October 3, Oswald returned to Dallas and found work at the [[Texas School Book Depository]] on [[Dealey Plaza]].<ref name="WCR-C1">[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], pp. 14–15.</ref> During the workweek he lived separately from Marina at [[Lee Harvey Oswald Rooming House|a Dallas rooming house]].<ref name="Saturday2">[[#Bagdikian|Bagdikian (1963)]], p. 26.</ref> On the morning of the assassination, he carried a long package (which he told coworkers contained curtain rods) into the Depository;<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 6, 165.</ref>{{efn|group=note|Jack Dougherty, the only witness who saw Oswald enter the Depository on the morning of the assassination, testified to the Warren Commission that he did not remember seeing Oswald with any package.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 819.</ref> Bugliosi questioned his reliability as a witness: Dougherty's father told FBI agents on November 23 that his son "had considerable difficulty in coordinating his mental facilities with his speech".<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 820.</ref>}} the Warren Commission concluded that this package contained Oswald's disassembled rifle.<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], pp. 130–135.</ref>

==November 22==
{{see also|Timeline of the John F. Kennedy assassination}}

===Kennedy's arrival in Dallas and route to Dealey Plaza===
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| total_width       = 500
| image1            = Kennedys arrive at Dallas 11-22-63.JPG
| caption1          = President Kennedy and First Lady [[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis|Jacqueline Kennedy]]  arriving at [[Dallas Love Field]] on November 22, 1963.
| alt1              = Kennedy and the First Lady, dresseing in a pink outfit and holding a bouquet of flowers, depart from Air Force One and greet welcomers.
| image2            = Dealey-plaza-annotated.png
| alt2              = The route of the motorcade: A right turn from Main Street onto Houston Street, then shortly thereafter a left turn before the Texas School Book Depository onto the snaking Elm Street, passing by the Grassy Knoll and exiting Dealey Plaza udner the Triple Underpass bridge.
| caption2          = The route of Kennedy's motorcade through [[Dealey Plaza]]. The shooting occurred on Elm Street.
}}

On November 22, [[Air Force One]] arrived at [[Dallas Love Field]] at 11:40&nbsp;a.m.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 23–24.</ref> President Kennedy and the First Lady boarded a [[SS-100-X|1961 Lincoln Continental convertible limousine]] to travel to a luncheon at the [[Dallas Trade Mart]].<ref name="odonnell">[[#O'Donnell|Testimony of Kenneth P. O'Donnell]], Warren Commission Hearings.</ref><ref name="warren40">[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 40.</ref> Other occupants of this vehicle{{mdash}}the second in the motorcade—were [[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]] Agent [[William Greer|Bill Greer]], who drove; Special Agent [[Roy Kellerman]] in the front passenger seat; and Governor Connally and his wife Nellie, who sat just forward of the Kennedys.<ref>[[#Blaine|Blaine (2011)]], p. 196.</ref><ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], pp. 25, 41.</ref> Four Dallas police motorcycle officers accompanied the Kennedy limousine.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 29.</ref> Vice President Johnson, his wife [[Lady Bird Johnson|Lady Bird]], and Senator Yarborough rode in another convertible.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. 30.</ref>

The motorcade's meandering 10-mile route through Dallas was designed to give Kennedy maximum exposure to crowds by passing through a suburban section of Dallas,<ref name="odonnell"/><ref name="warren40"/> and [[Main Street District, Dallas|Main Street]] in [[Downtown Dallas]], before turning right on Houston Street. After another block, the motorcade was to turn left onto Elm Street, pass through Dealey Plaza, and travel a short segment of the [[Stemmons Freeway]] to the Trade Mart.<ref name="warren40"/> The planned route had been reported in newspapers several days in advance.<ref name="warren40"/> Despite concerns about hostile protestors{{mdash}}Kennedy's UN Ambassador [[Adlai Stevenson II|Adlai Stevenson]] had been spat on in Dallas a month earlier{{mdash}}Kennedy was greeted warmly by enthusiastic crowds.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 19–20, 30–38, 49.</ref><ref>[[#Death|"November 22, 1963: Death of the President". John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.]]</ref><ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. 51.</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Shooting===
{{wide image|File:Dallas Elm Street.jpg|1400px|dir=rtl|alt=A panoramic view of Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas, the location where President John F. Kennedy is assassinated on November 22, 1963.|[[Dealey Plaza]] in 2006, with Elm Street on the right and the Triple Underpass in the middle. The white concrete pergola, from which [[Zapruder film|Zapruder was filming]], is at the center, behind the lamp-post, and the [[Grassy Knoll]] is slightly to its left. The red building partially visible at the extreme upper right is the [[Texas School Book Depository]]. Kennedy's motorcade moved from right to left, and Kennedy was struck by the final bullet just left of the lamp-post in front of the pergola.}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| total_width       = 500
| image1            = Robert Croft photo showing JFK's car on Elm Street.jpg
| alt1              = John F. Kennedy is seen sitting in a limousine, waving with a crowd on Elm Street, Dealey Plaza.
| image2            = Moorman photo of JFK assassination.jpg
| alt2              = John F. Kennedy is fatally shot in the head, with Jacqueline Kennedy sitting beside him. Jacqueline can be seen turning over and looking at him at that moment.
| footer            = Robert Croft's photograph of Kennedy in [[Dealey Plaza]], before the first shot struck Kennedy (left), and the [[Mary Moorman|Mary Moorman photograph]] (right), taken a fraction of a second after the fatal shot.
}}

Kennedy's limousine entered Dealey Plaza at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. CST.<ref name="bugliosixi"/> Nellie Connally turned and commented to Kennedy, who was sitting behind her, "Mr. President, they can't make you believe now that there are not some in Dallas who love and appreciate you, can they?" Kennedy's reply{{snd}}"No, they sure can't"{{snd}}were his last words.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], pp. 56–57.</ref>

From Houston Street, the limousine made the planned left turn onto Elm, passing the Texas School Book Depository.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], pp. 56, 58.</ref> As it continued down Elm Street, multiple shots were fired: about 80% of the witnesses recalled hearing three shots.<ref name="Earwitnesses">[[#McAdams|McAdams (2012)]]</ref> The Warren Commission concluded that three shots were fired and noted that most witnesses recalled that the second and third shots were bunched together.<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 110.</ref> Shortly after Kennedy began waving, some witnesses heard the first gunshot, but few in the crowd or motorcade reacted, many interpreting the sound as a firecracker or [[back-fire|backfire]].<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 49.</ref><ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], pp. 58–60.</ref>{{efn|group=note|After the first shot, witness Virgie Rachley—an employee at the Texas School Book Depository—reported seeing sparks on the pavement shortly behind the president's limousine.<ref name="bugliosi39">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 39.</ref>}}

{{multiple image
| align             = left
| direction         = vertical
| total_width       = 230
| image1            = Sbt2.jpg
| image2            = Sbt critics.jpg
| alt2              = A curve showing the same bullet's trajectory in an alternative scenario where Kennedy sat directly behind Connally, according to conspiracy theorists.
| footer            = Per the [[Warren Commission]]'s [[single-bullet theory]] (top), one bullet caused Kennedy's nonfatal wound and Connally's wounds. Conspiracy theorists, neglecting that Kennedy was not directly behind Connally, claim that the trajectory required a "magic bullet" (bottom).<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. xxix, 458.</ref>
| alt1              = A straight line is shown illustrating the trajectory of the bullet that hit John F. Kennedy and John Connally, according to the single-bullet theory.
}}

Within one second of each other, Governor Connally and Mrs. Kennedy turned abruptly from their left to their right.<ref>[[#Appendix1|HSCA Appendix to Hearings]], Vol VI. p. 29.</ref> Connally—an experienced hunter—immediately recognized the sound as that of a rifle and turned his head and torso rightward, noting nothing unusual behind him.<ref name="bugliosi39"/> He testified that he could not see Kennedy, so he started to turn forward again (turning from his right to his left), and that when his head was facing about 20 degrees left of center,<ref name="johnconnally">[[#GovConnally|Testimony of Gov. John Bowden Connally, Jr]], Warren Commission Hearings.</ref> he was struck in his upper right back by a shot he did not hear,<ref name="johnconnally"/><ref name="bug61">[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. 61.</ref> then shouted, "My God. They're going to kill us all!"<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. 62.</ref>

According to the Warren Commission and the HSCA, Kennedy was waving to the crowds on his right when a shot entered his upper back and exited his throat just beneath his [[larynx]].<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], pp. 18–19.</ref><ref>[[#Stokes|Stokes (1979)]], pp. 41–46.</ref> He raised his elbows and clenched his fists in front of his face and neck, then leaned forward and leftward. Mrs. Kennedy, facing him, put her arms around him.<ref name="johnconnally"/><ref name="aarclibrary.org">[[#Shaw|Testimony of Dr. Robert Roeder Shaw]], Warren Commission Hearings.</ref><ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], pp. 61–62.</ref> Although a serious wound, it likely would have been survivable.<ref name="sabato216">[[#Sabato|Sabato (2013)]], p. 216.</ref>

According to the Warren Commission's [[single-bullet theory]]—derided as the "magic bullet theory" by conspiracy theorists—Governor Connally was injured by the same bullet that exited Kennedy's neck. The bullet created an oval-shaped entry wound near his right shoulder, struck and destroyed several inches of Connally's right fifth rib, and exited his chest just below his right nipple, [[Pneumothorax|puncturing and collapsing his lung]]. That same bullet then entered his arm just above his right wrist and shattered his right [[radius (bone)|radius bone]]. The bullet exited just below the wrist at the inner side of his right palm and finally lodged in his left thigh.<ref name="posnerbullet">[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], pp. 335–336.</ref><ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], pp. 85–96.</ref><ref name="sabato216"/>

{{multiple image
| align             = right
| total_width       = 300
| image1            = HSCA-JFK-neck2-6-43.jpg
| alt1              = A sketch shows an arrow illustrating the first bullet that struck John F. Kennedy. The bullet is seen entering into his neck and exiting the throat.
| image2            = HSCA-JFK-head-7-125.jpg
| alt2              = Another sketch shows an arrow illustrating the second bullet that fatally hit Kennedy in the head. Fragments are shown breaking from his skull.
| footer            = The trajectories of the two bullets that struck Kennedy, per the [[United States House Select Committee on Assassinations|House Select Committee on Assassinations]].
}}

As the limousine passed the [[Dealey Plaza|grassy knoll]],<ref name="haygood">[[#Haygood|Testimony of Clyde A. Haygood]], Warren Commission Hearings.</ref> Kennedy was struck a second time, by a fatal shot to the head.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], pp. 63–64.</ref> The Warren Commission made no finding as to whether this was the second or third bullet fired, and concluded—as did the HSCA—that the second shot to strike Kennedy entered the rear of his head. It then passed in fragments through his skull, creating a large, "roughly [[wikt:ovular|ovular]]" {{sic}} hole on the rear, right side of the head, and spraying blood and fragments. His brain and blood spatter landed as far as the following Secret Service car and the motorcycle officers.<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], pp. 111–115.</ref><ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. xx, 501.</ref><ref>[[#Hargis|Testimony of Bobby W. Hargis]], Warren Commission Hearings.</ref>{{efn|group=note|Student Billy Harper later found a fragment of Kennedy's skull on the road.<ref>[[#Summers|Summers (2013)]], p. 45.</ref>}}

Secret Service Agent [[Clint Hill (Secret Service)|Clint Hill]] was riding on the [[running board]] of the car immediately behind Kennedy's limousine.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 29.</ref> Hill testified to the Warren Commission that he heard one shot, jumped onto the street, and ran forward to board the limousine and protect Kennedy. Hill stated that he heard the fatal headshot as he reached the Lincoln, "approximately five seconds" after the first shot that he heard.<ref name="cjhill">[[#CJHill|Testimony of Clinton J. Hill, Special Agent, Secret Service]], Warren Commission Hearings.</ref> After the headshot, Mrs. Kennedy began climbing onto the limousine's trunk, but she later had no recollection of doing so.<ref name="jacqueline">[[#Jackie|Testimony of Mrs. John F. Kennedy]], Warren Commission Hearings.</ref> Hill believed she may have been reaching for a piece of Kennedy's skull.<ref name="cjhill"/> He jumped onto the limousine's bumper, and he clung to the car as it exited Dealey Plaza and sped to [[Parkland Memorial Hospital]]. After Mrs. Kennedy crawled back into her seat, both Governor and Mrs. Connally heard her repeatedly saying: "They have killed my husband. I have his brains in my hand."<ref name="johnconnally"/><ref name="nellieconnally">[[#MsConnally|Testimony of Mrs. John Bowden Connally, Jr]], Warren Commission Hearings.</ref><ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 42.</ref>

Bystander [[James Tague]] received a minor wound to the cheek—either from bullet or concrete curb fragments—while standing by the triple underpass.<ref>[[#Sabato|Sabato (2013)]], p. 221.</ref> Nine months later, the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] removed the curb, and spectrographic analysis revealed metallic residue consistent with the lead core in Oswald's ammunition.<ref name="newsweek 112814">[[#behind|Holland (2014)]]</ref> Tague testified before the Warren Commission and initially stated that he was wounded by either the second or third shot of the three shots that he remembered hearing. When the commission counsel pressed him to be more specific, Tague testified that he was wounded by the second shot.<ref>[[#Tague|Testimony of James Thomas Tague]], Warren Commission Hearings.</ref>

===Aftermath in Dealey Plaza===
[[File:Newman Family.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|alt=Witness hunker down on the grassy incline before the grassy knoll after the shooting|Bill and Gayle Newman shielding their children after hearing shots and dropping to the grass. The grassy knoll and its picket fence are visible in the background.{{efn|group=note|The journalists pictured with them arrived as the end of the motorcade passed through Dealey Plaza.<ref>[[#Trask|Trask (1994)]], pp. 38–40.</ref>}}]]

As the motorcade left Dealey Plaza, some witnesses sought cover,<ref name="trask76">[[#Trask|Trask (1994)]], p. 76.</ref> and others joined  police officers to run up the grassy knoll in search of a shooter.<ref name="haygood"/><ref>[[#Summers|Summers (2013)]], pp. 56–57.</ref> No shooter was found behind the knoll's picket fence.<ref name="bug852"/> Among the 178 witnesses who testified to the Warren Commission, 78 were unsure of the shots' origin, 49 believed they came from the Depository, and 21 thought they came from the grassy knoll.<ref>[[#Summers|Summers (2013)]], p. 35.</ref> No witness ever reported seeing anyone — with or without a gun (except policemen) — immediately behind the knoll's picket fence at the time of the shooting.<ref name="bug852"/>

[[Lee Bowers]] was in a two-story [[switch tower|railroad switch tower]] {{convert|120|yd|m}} behind the grassy knoll's picket fence; he was watching the motorcade and had an unobstructed view of the only route by which any shooter could flee the grassy knoll; he saw no one leaving the scene.<ref name="bug852">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 852.</ref> Bowers testified to the Warren Commission that "one or two" men were between him and the fence during the assassination: one was a familiar parking lot attendant and the other wore a uniform like a county courthouse custodian. He testified seeing "some commotion" on the grassy knoll at the time of the assassination: "something out of the ordinary, a sort of milling around, but something occurred in this particular spot which was out of the ordinary, which attracted my eye for some reason which I could not identify".<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 898.</ref>{{efn|group=note|Bugliosi notes that Lee Bowers Jr. did not mention the "commotion" in an earlier affidavit, in which Bowers did take time to list all other suspicious happenings like circling vehicles with "[[Barry Goldwater|Goldwater for '64]]" stickers. Moreover, conspiracy theorist Jim Moore questions whether Bowers could even have seen the area. Bowers testified that he "threw [the] red-on-red [signal]" just after the fatal shot, but the grassy knoll was partially obstructed from Bowers' position at the work panel.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 898–899.</ref>}}

At 12:36&nbsp;p.m., teenager Amos Euins approached Dallas police Sergeant D.V. Harkness to report having seen a "[[Colored|colored man]] ... leaning out of the window [with] a rifle" on the sixth floor of the Depository during the assassination; in response, Harkness radioed that he was sealing off the Depository.<ref name="bug80">[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. 80.</ref> Witness [[Howard Brennan]] then approached a police inspector to report seeing a shooter—a white man in khaki clothing—in the same window.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. 81.</ref><ref>[[#Brennan|Testimony of Howard Brennan]], Warren Commission Hearings.</ref> Police broadcast Brennan's description of the man at 12:45 p.m.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. 64.</ref> Brennan testified that, after the second shot, "This man{{nbsp}}... was aiming for his last shot&nbsp;... and maybe paused for another second as though to assure himself that he had hit his mark."<ref>[[#Summers|Summers (2013)]], p. 62.</ref> Witness James R. Worrell Jr. also reported seeing a gun barrel emerge from a sixth floor Depository window.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. 60.</ref> Bonnie Ray Williams, who was on the fifth floor of the Depository, stated that the rifle's report was so loud and near that ceiling plaster fell onto his head.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 40.</ref>

===Oswald's flight, killing of J. D. Tippit, and arrest===
{{Further|John F. Kennedy assassination rifle}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| total_width       = 500
| image1            = HowardBrennan.jpg
| alt1              = A photograph of the Texas School Book Depository, showing its view from a witness of John F. Kennedy's assassination. The window from the sixth floor is marked A, and another window from the fifth floor marked B.
| image2            = View from Sniper's nest to Elm Street, CE724.jpg
| alt2              = A view through a window to Elm Street, Dealey Plaza, from the shooter's location in the Depository to kill Kennedy, the so-called "sniper's nest".
| footer            = The view of the [[Texas School Book Depository]] from witness [[Howard Brennan]]: circle "A" indicates where he saw Oswald firing a rifle. At right, the view from the "sniper's nest" in the Texas School Book Depository.
}}

When searching the sixth floor of the Depository, two deputies found an Italian [[Carcano]] M91/38 bolt-action rifle.<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 645.</ref>{{efn|group=note|Three spent cartridges were found on the floor. One live round was found in the rifle. Dallas policemen thoroughly photographed the rifle before its removal.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 86–87.</ref>}} Oswald had purchased the used rifle the previous March under the alias "A. Hidell" and had it delivered to his Dallas [[post-office box|P.O. box]].<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 118.</ref> The FBI found Oswald's partial palm print on the barrel,<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 122.</ref><ref name="bug801"/>{{efn|group=note|Lieutenant Day of the Dallas police examined the weapon prior to its seizure by the FBI. He found and photographed fingerprints on the trigger housing. Although Day believed the prints to be those of Oswald's right middle and ring fingers, the ridges were not clear enough to make a positive identification. Day then discovered a palm-print on the barrel underneath the wooden stock. He tentatively identified it as Oswald's, but was not able to photograph or analyze it in more depth as the FBI took the Carcano.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 800.</ref> In D.C., FBI fingerprint expert Sebastian Latona found the photographs and extant prints to be "insufficient" as to make any conclusion. The rifle was returned to the Dallas police on November 24.<ref name="bug801">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 801.</ref> Five days later, the FBI made a positive identification using a card from Day.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 801−802.</ref>}} and fibers on the rifle were consistent with those of Oswald's shirt.<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 124.</ref> A bullet found on Governor Connally's hospital [[gurney]] and two fragments found in the limousine were [[Ballistic fingerprinting|ballistically matched]] to the Carcano.<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 79.</ref>

Oswald left the Depository and traveled by bus to his boarding house, where he retrieved a jacket and revolver.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], pp. 110−111, 151.</ref> At 1:12&nbsp;p.m., police officer [[J. D. Tippit]] spotted Oswald walking in the residential neighborhood of [[Oak Cliff]] and called him to his patrol car. After an exchange of words, Tippit exited his vehicle; Oswald then shot Tippit three times in the chest. As Tippit lay on the ground, Oswald fired a final shot into Tippit's right [[Temple (anatomy)|temple]]. Oswald then calmly walked away before running as witnesses emerged.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], pp. 122–124, 127.</ref>
{{external media
|float=right
|title=Oswald speaking in custody
|width=20em
|video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZYAIiErTNg Oswald professing innocence]
|video2 = [https://www.cbsnews.com/video/oswald-holds-press-conference/ Oswald's "press conference"]
}}
As Dallas police officers conducted a roll call of Depository employees, Oswald's supervisor Roy Truly realized that Oswald was absent and notified the police.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], pp. 93–94.</ref> Based on a false identification of Oswald, Dallas police raided a library in Oak Cliff before realizing their mistake.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 94–95, 101.</ref> At 1:36&nbsp;p.m., the police were called after a conspicuous Oswald, tired from running, was seen sneaking into the [[Texas Theatre]] without paying.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], pp. 150–152.</ref> With the film ''[[War Is Hell (film)|War Is Hell]]'' still playing, Dallas policemen arrested Oswald after a brief struggle in which Oswald drew his fully loaded gun.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. 153.</ref> He denied shooting anyone and claimed he was being made a "[[wikt:patsy#Noun|patsy]]" because he had lived in the Soviet Union.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 161.</ref>

===Kennedy declared dead; Johnson sworn in===
[[File:Lyndon B. Johnson taking the oath of office, November 1963.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|alt=Lyndon B. Johnson raises his hand above an outstretched Bible as his is sworn in as President as [[Air Force One]] prepares to depart Love Field in Dallas. Jacqueline Kennedy, still in her blood-spattered clothes (not visible), looks on.|[[Cecil Stoughton]]'s photograph of [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] being sworn in as President as [[Air Force One]] prepares to depart Love Field in Dallas. [[Jacqueline Kennedy]], still in [[Pink Chanel suit of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy|her Chanel suit]] (the blood spatters not visible here), looks on.]]
At 12:38&nbsp;p.m., Kennedy arrived in the emergency room of [[Parkland Memorial Hospital]].<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. 85.</ref> Although Kennedy was still breathing after the shooting, his personal physician, [[George Burkley]], immediately saw that survival was impossible.<ref>[[#Arlington|"Biographical sketch of Dr. George Gregory Burkley". Arlington National Cemetery.]]</ref><ref name="hub"/><ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. 93.</ref> After Parkland surgeons  performed futile [[Cardiopulmonary resuscitation|cardiac massage]], Kennedy was pronounced dead at 1:00&nbsp;p.m., 30 minutes after the shooting.<ref name="hub">[[#Huber|Huber (2007)]], pp. 380–393.</ref> CBS host [[Walter Cronkite]] broke the news on live television.<ref>[[#Cronkite|"Walter Cronkite On The Assassination Of John F. Kennedy". NPR.]]</ref><ref>[[#Daniel|Daniel (2007)]], pp. 87, 88.</ref>

The Secret Service was concerned about the possibility of a larger plot and urged Johnson to leave Dallas and return to the [[White House]], but Johnson refused to do so without any proof of Kennedy's death.<ref name="boyd">[[#Boyd|Boyd (2015)]], pp. 59, 62.</ref>{{efn|group=note|At the time of Kennedy's assassination, most of his cabinet was on a trip to Japan.<ref>[[#Ball|Ball (1982)]], p. 107.</ref>}} Johnson returned to Air Force One around 1:30{{nbsp}}p.m., and shortly thereafter, he received telephone calls from advisors [[McGeorge Bundy]] and [[Walter Jenkins]] advising him to depart for Washington, D.C., immediately.<ref name="Esquire; September 16, 2013">[[#Jonesesq|Jones (2013)]]</ref> He replied that he would not leave Dallas without Jacqueline Kennedy and that she would not leave without Kennedy's body.<ref name="boyd"/><ref name="Esquire; September 16, 2013"/> According to ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'', Johnson did "not want to be remembered as an abandoner of beautiful widows".<ref name="Esquire; September 16, 2013"/>

At the time of Kennedy's assassination, the murder of a president was not [[Federal crime in the United States|under federal jurisdiction]].<ref name="kurtz2"/> Accordingly, Dallas County medical examiner [[Earl Rose (coroner)|Earl Rose]] insisted that Texas law required him to perform an autopsy.<ref name=Munson>[[#Munson|Munson (2012)]]</ref><ref name=Stafford>[[#Stafford|Stafford (2012)]]</ref> A heated exchange between Kennedy's aides and Dallas officials nearly erupted into a fistfight before the Texans yielded and allowed Kennedy's body to be transported to Air Force One.<ref name=Munson/><ref name=Stafford/><ref name="bug110">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 110.</ref> At 2:38&nbsp;p.m., with Jacqueline Kennedy at his side, [[First inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson|Johnson was administered the oath of office]] by federal judge [[Sarah Tilghman Hughes]] aboard Air Force One shortly before departing for Washington with Kennedy's coffin.<ref>[[#Oath|"President Lyndon B. Johnson takes Oath of Office, 22 November 1963". John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.]]</ref>

==Immediate aftermath==
===Autopsy===
{{Main|John F. Kennedy autopsy}}
{{quote box |bgcolor = MistyRose | width = 25em |align = right
| quote = Where bungled autopsies are concerned, President Kennedy's is the exemplar.
| source = — Dr. [[Michael Baden]], chairman of the forensic pathology panel of the [[United States House Select Committee on Assassinations|House Select Committee on Assassinations]]<ref name="Bugliosi 2007 p. 382">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 382.</ref>
| style = padding:1.5em
| fontsize=85%
}}
President Kennedy's autopsy was performed at [[National Naval Medical Center|Bethesda Naval Hospital]] in [[Maryland]] on the night of November 22. Jacqueline Kennedy had selected a naval hospital as the postmortem site as President Kennedy had been a [[naval officer]] during World War II.<ref>[[#assoc|Associated Press (1963)]], pp. 29–31.</ref><ref>[[#Sabato|Sabato (2013)]], p. 22.</ref> The autopsy was conducted by three physicians: naval commanders James Humes and J. Thornton Boswell, with assistance from ballistics wound expert Pierre A. Finck; Humes led the procedure.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 139–140.</ref> Under pressure from the Kennedy family and White House staffers to expedite the procedure, the physicians conducted a "rushed" and incomplete autopsy.<ref>[[#Sabato|Sabato (2013)]], p. 213.</ref> Kennedy's personal physician, Rear Admiral George Burkley,<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 137–138.</ref> signed a [[death certificate]] on November 23 and recorded that the [[cause of death]] was a gunshot wound to the skull.<ref name="amex">[[#Amex|"Oswald's Ghost". PBS]]</ref><ref>[[#Burkley|Burkley (1963)]]</ref>

Three years after the autopsy, Kennedy's brain—which had been removed and preserved for later analysis—was found to be missing when the Kennedy family transferred material to the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives]].<ref name="bug431">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 431.</ref><ref name="brain"/> Conspiracy theorists often claim that the brain may have shown that the headshot entered from the front. Alternatively, the HSCA concluded that an assistant to Attorney General [[Robert F. Kennedy]], the president's brother, likely removed the footlocker holding the brain and other materials at his direction, and he "either destroyed these materials or otherwise rendered them inaccessible" to prevent "misuse" of said material<ref name="bug432">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 432</ref> or to hide the extent of the [[John F. Kennedy#Health|president's chronic illnesses]] and consequent medication.<ref name="brain">[[#Saner|Saner (2013)]]</ref> Some autopsy X-rays and photographs have also been lost.<ref>[[#Kurtz|Kurtz (1982)]], p. 9.</ref>

Most historians regard the autopsy as the "most botched" segment of the government's investigation.<ref name="Bugliosi 2007 p. 382"/> The HSCA forensic pathology panel concluded that the autopsy had "extensive failings", including failure to take sufficient photographs, failure to determine the exact exit or entry point of the head bullet, not dissecting the back and neck, and neglecting to determine the angles of gunshot injuries relative to [[body axis]].<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 382–383.</ref> The panel further concluded that the two doctors were not qualified to have conducted a forensic autopsy. Panel member [[Milton Helpern]]—[[Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York|Chief Medical Examiner for New York City]]—said that selecting Humes (who had only taken a single course on forensic pathology) to lead the autopsy was "like sending a seven-year-old boy who has taken three lessons on the violin over to the [[New York Philharmonic]] and expecting him to perform a [[Tchaikovsky]] symphony".<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 384.</ref>

===Funeral===
{{Main|State funeral of John F. Kennedy|List of dignitaries at the state funeral of John F. Kennedy}}
[[File:John F. Kennedy Lying in State November 25, 1963 (10965631824).jpg|thumb|alt=Kennedy's coffin in front of the US Capitol|Kennedy's coffin is carried from the [[United States Capitol|Capitol]], November 25.]]

Following the autopsy, Kennedy lay in repose in the [[East Room|East Room of the White House]] for 24&nbsp;hours.<ref>[[#assoc|Associated Press (1963)]], pp. 36–37, 56–57, 68.</ref><ref>[[#nyc|''The New York Times'' (2003)]], pp. 197–201.</ref> President Johnson issued [[s:Proclamation 3561|Presidential Proclamation 3561]], declaring November 25 to be a [[national day of mourning]],<ref name="AssociatedPress-Page40">[[#assoc|Associated Press (1963)]], p. 40.</ref><ref>[[#Heritage|''American Heritage'' (1964)]], pp. 52–53.</ref> and that only essential emergency workers be at their posts.<ref>[[#Closed|"Government Offices Closed by President". ''The Washington Post''.]]</ref> The coffin was then carried on a [[Black Jack (horse)|horse]]-drawn [[Limbers and caissons|caisson]] to the [[United States Capitol|Capitol]] to lie in state. Hundreds of thousands of mourners lined up to view the guarded casket,<ref name="WhitePage16">[[#White|White (1965)]], p. 16.</ref><ref>[[#NBC|NBC News (1966)]], pp. 106–107, 110, 114–115, 119–123, 133–134.</ref> with a quarter million passing through the [[United States Capitol rotunda|rotunda]] during the 18 hours of lying in state.<ref name="WhitePage16"/> Even in the Soviet Union—according to a memo by FBI Director [[J. Edgar Hoover]]—news of the assassination "was greeted by great shock and consternation and church bells were tolled in the memory of President Kennedy".<ref>[[#Neuman|Neuman (2017)]]</ref><ref>[[#Russkies|Hoover (1963)]]</ref>

Kennedy's funeral service was held on November 25, at [[Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle|St. Matthew's Cathedral]],<ref name="WhitePage17">[[#White|White (1965)]], p. 17.</ref> with the [[Requiem Mass]] led by Cardinal [[Richard Cushing]].<ref name="WhitePage17"/> About 1,200 guests, including representatives from over 90 countries, attended.<ref>[[#assoc|Associated Press (1963)]], p. 93.</ref><ref name="nbc126">[[#NBC|NBC News (1966)]], p. 126.</ref> Although there was no formal eulogy,<ref>[[#assoc|Associated Press (1963)]], pp. 94, 96.</ref><ref>[[#Spivak|Spivak (1963)]]</ref> Auxiliary Bishop [[Philip M. Hannan]] read excerpts from Kennedy's speeches and writings.<ref name="nbc126"/> After the service, Kennedy was buried at [[Arlington National Cemetery]] in Virginia.<ref>[[#White|White (1965)]], p. 18.</ref> [[John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame|An eternal flame]] was lit at his burial site in 1967.<ref>[[#ANC|"President John Fitzgerald Kennedy Gravesite". Arlington National Cemetery.]]</ref>

===Killing of Oswald===
[[File:Ruby shoots Oswald.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|alt=Photograph of the moment Jack Ruby shot Oswald|[[Robert H. Jackson (photographer)|Robert H. Jackson]]'s photograph ''[[Jack Ruby Shoots Lee Harvey Oswald]]''. Oswald was being escorted by police detective [[Jim Leavelle]] (tan suit) for the transfer from the city jail to the county jail. Ruby died in prison in 1967.]]
On Sunday, November 24, at 11:21&nbsp;a.m., as Oswald was being escorted to a car in the basement of Dallas Police headquarters for the transfer from the city jail to the county jail, he was shot by Dallas nightclub owner [[Jack Ruby]]. The shooting was broadcast live on television.<ref name="Saturday2"/> [[Robert H. Jackson (photographer)|Robert H. Jackson]] of the ''[[Dallas Times Herald]]'' photographed the shooting which was titled, [[Jack Ruby Shoots Lee Harvey Oswald]] for which he was awarded the 1964 [[Pulitzer Prize for Photography]].<ref name="Fischer">[[#Fischer|Fischer (2003)]], p. 206.</ref>

Drifting in and out of consciousness, Oswald was taken by ambulance to Parkland Memorial Hospital; he was treated by the same surgeons who had tried to save Kennedy.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], pp. 450–451.</ref> The bullet had entered his lower left chest but had not exited; major heart blood vessels such as the [[aorta]] and [[inferior vena cava]] were severed, and the spleen, kidney, and liver were hit.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], pp. 451–452, 458–459.</ref> Despite surgical intervention and [[defibrillation]], Oswald died at 1:07&nbsp;p.m.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. 465.</ref>

Arrested immediately after the shooting, Ruby testified to the Warren Commission that he had been distraught by Kennedy's death and that killing Oswald would spare "Mrs. Kennedy the discomfiture of coming back to trial". He also stated he shot Oswald on the spur of the moment when the opportunity presented itself, without considering any reason for doing so.<ref name="rubyWC">[[#RubyWC|Testimony of Jack Ruby]], Warren Commission Hearings.</ref> Initially, Ruby wished to {{clarify|text=defend himself|reason=represent himself or testify in his own defense?|date=November 2023}} in his trial until his lawyer [[Melvin Belli]] dissuaded him: Belli argued that Ruby had an episode of [[Temporal lobe epilepsy|psychomotor epilepsy]] and was thus not responsible.<ref name="bug357">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 357.</ref> Ruby was convicted, but the [[Rubenstein v. State|decision was overturned on appeal]]. While awaiting retrial in 1967,<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 351, 1453.</ref> Ruby died of a [[pulmonary embolism]], secondary to cancer. Like Oswald and Kennedy, Ruby was declared dead at Parkland Hospital.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 1019, 1484.</ref>

==Films and photographs of the assassination==
{{quote box |bgcolor = powderblue | width = 19.3em |align = left
| quote = My god, I saw the whole thing. I saw the man's brains come out of his head.
| source = — [[Abraham Zapruder]]<ref name="trask76"/>
| style = padding:1.5em
| fontsize=85%
}}
[[File:Zaprudercamera.jpg|thumb|left|alt=The Bell & Howell Zoomatic movie camera used by Abraham Zapruder|The [[Bell & Howell]] Zoomatic movie camera used by [[Abraham Zapruder]] to capture footage of the motorcade and Kennedy's killing, which later came to be known as the [[Zapruder film]]. The camera is preserved within the collection of the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives]].]]

Standing on the pergola wall some {{convert|65|ft|m}} from the road,<ref>[[#Trask|Trask (1994)]], pp. 59–61, 73.</ref> tailor [[Abraham Zapruder]] recorded Kennedy's killing on 26&nbsp;seconds of silent [[8 mm film]] — known as the [[Zapruder film]].<ref name="lifezap"/> Frame 313 captures the exact moment at which Kennedy's head explodes.<ref name="frenchies"/> ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine published frame enlargements from the Zapruder film shortly after the assassination.<ref name="lifezap">[[#Cosgrove|Cosgrove (2011)]]</ref><ref>[[#Pasternack1|Pasternack (2011)]]</ref> The footage itself was first publicly shown at the 1969 [[trial of Clay Shaw]], and on television in 1975 by [[Geraldo Rivera]].<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 371.</ref> In 1999, an arbitration panel ordered the federal government to pay $615,384 per second of film to Zapruder's heirs, valuing the complete film at $16&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|16000000|1999}}}} in 2022).<ref>[[#Inverne|Inverne (2004)]]</ref><ref>[[#Pasternack2|Pasternack (2012)]]</ref>

Zapruder was one of at least 32 people in Dealey Plaza known to have made film or still photographs at or around the time of the shooting.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (1998)]], p. 291.</ref> Most notably among the photographers, [[Mary Moorman]] took several photos of Kennedy with her [[Instant camera|Polaroid]], including one of Kennedy less than one-sixth of a second after the headshot.<ref name="bug885">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 885.</ref>

As well as Zapruder, [[Charles Bronson (photographer)|Charles Bronson]], [[Marie Muchmore]], and [[Orville Nix]] filmed the assassination, but at farther distances than Zapruder.<ref>[[#Friedman|Friedman (1963)]], p. 17.</ref><ref name="bug452">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 452.</ref> Of the three, only Nix — who filmed the assassination from the opposite side of Elm Street from Zapruder, capturing the grassy knoll — actually recorded the fatal shot.<ref name="bug452"/><ref name="nix"/>{{efn|group=note|Nix himself believed that the shots had come from the grassy knoll.<ref name="nix"/>}} In 1966, Nix claimed that, after he gave the film to the FBI, the duplicate that they returned had frames "missing" or "ruined". Although lower-quality duplicates exist, the original film has been missing since 1978.<ref name="nix">[[#Rose|Rose (2015)]]</ref> Previously unknown footage filmed by George Jefferies was released in 2007.<ref>[[#Jeffries1|"George Jefferies Film". Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.]]</ref><ref>[[#Jeffries2|"Newly released film of JFK before assassination". Associated Press.]]</ref> Recorded a few blocks before the shooting, the film captures Kennedy's bunched suit jacket, explaining the [[Single-bullet theory#Location of back wound|discrepancies between the location of the bullet hole in Kennedy's back and his jacket]].<ref>[[#MacAskill|MacAskill (2007)]]</ref>

Some films and photographs captured an unidentified woman apparently filming the assassination; researchers have nicknamed her the [[Babushka Lady]] due to the [[Headscarf|shawl]] around her head.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 1045.</ref> In 1978, [[Gordon Arnold]] came forward and claimed that he had filmed the assassination from the grassy knoll and that a police officer had confiscated his film.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 886–887.</ref> Arnold is not visible in any photographs taken of the area, which [[Vincent Bugliosi]]—author of ''[[Reclaiming History]]''—called "conclusive photographic proof that Arnold's story was fabricated".<ref name="bug887">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 887.</ref>

==Official investigations==

===Dallas Police===
[[File:Lee Harvey Oswald 1963.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Oswald in police custody|[[Lee Harvey Oswald]] in police custody.]]
At the Dallas Police headquarters, officers interrogated Oswald about the shootings of Kennedy and Tippit; these intermittent interviews lasted for approximately 12&nbsp;hours between 2:30&nbsp;p.m. on November 22 and 11&nbsp;a.m. on November 24.<ref>[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], p. 180.</ref> Throughout, Oswald denied any involvement and resorted to statements that were found to be false.<ref name="warren180195"/>

Captain [[J. W. Fritz]] of the Homicide and Robbery Bureau did most of the questioning and kept only rudimentary notes.<ref name="fritz"/><ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 113–116, 126, 123–132.</ref> Days later, Fritz wrote a report of the interrogation from notes he made afterwards.<ref name="fritz">[[#Fritz|Report of Capt. J. W. Fritz, Dallas Police Department]], Warren Commission Hearings.</ref> There were no stenographic or tape recordings. Representatives of other law enforcement agencies were also present, including the FBI and the Secret Service, and occasionally participated in the questioning.<ref name="warren180195"/> Several of the FBI agents who were present wrote contemporaneous reports of the interrogation.<ref>[[#FBI|Reports of Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (1964)]], Warren Commission Hearings.</ref>

On the evening of November 22, Dallas Police performed [[paraffin test]]s on Oswald's hands and right cheek in an effort to establish whether or not he had recently fired a weapon. The results were positive for the hands and negative for the right cheek. Such tests were unreliable,<ref name="warren180195"/><ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 164–165.</ref> and the Warren Commission did not rely on these results.<ref name="warren180195">[[#Warren|Warren (1964)]], pp. 180–195.</ref>

The Dallas police forced Oswald to host a press conference after midnight on November 23, and, early in the investigation, made many leaks to the media. Their conduct angered Johnson, who instructed the FBI to tell them to "stop talking about the assassination".<ref name="kurtz2"/> Dallas Police, after the FBI expressed concerns that someone might try to kill Oswald, assured federal authorities that they would provide him adequate protection.<ref>[[#Pappalardo|Pappalardo (2017)]]</ref>

===FBI investigation===
[[File:Presentation of the Young American Medals for Bravery. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Director of F.B.I. J.... - NARA - 194254.jpg|thumb|upright|left|alt=Attorney General [[Robert F. Kennedy]] and President [[John F. Kennedy]] are pictured speaking at the White House|FBI Director [[J. Edgar Hoover]] (pictured between [[Robert F. Kennedy|Robert]] and [[John F. Kennedy]] in May 1963) wrote in a 1964 memo that "we left no stone unturned".<ref name="bug338"/>]]

The FBI immediately launched an investigation into the assassination, relying on a federal statute that forbade assaulting a federal officer. Within 24 hours of the killing, FBI Director Hoover sent President Johnson a preliminary report finding that Oswald was the sole culprit. After Ruby killed Oswald, Johnson decided that the Texan authorities were incompetent and instructed the FBI to conduct a complete investigation.<ref name="kurtz2">[[#Kurtz|Kurtz (1982)]], p. 2.</ref>

On December 9, 1963, the Warren Commission received the FBI's report of its investigation which concluded that three bullets had been fired{{mdashb}}the first striking Kennedy in the upper back; the second striking Connally; and the third striking Kennedy in the head, killing him.<ref name=":2">[[#assoc|Associated Press (1963)]], p. 16.</ref> The FBI continued to serve as the main investigative arm of the Warren Commission in the field. A total of 169 FBI agents worked on the case, conducting over 25,000 interviews and writing over 2,300 reports.<ref name="bug338">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 338.</ref>

The thoroughness of the FBI's investigation is contested. Bugliosi applauded its quality and cites conspiracy theorist [[Harrison Edward Livingstone]]'s praise of the FBI's commitment to following all leads.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 338–339.</ref> In its 1979 report, the HSCA found that the FBI's investigation of pro- and anti-Castro Cubans, and any connections to Oswald or Ruby, was insufficient.<ref name="bug338"/> The HSCA also noted that Hoover "seemed determined [to make the case that Oswald was the lone assassin] within 24 hours of the assassination".<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 339.</ref>

===Warren Commission===
{{Main|Warren Commission}}
[[File:Lbj-wc.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|alt=Members of the Warren Commission present their report to President Johnson|The [[Warren Commission]] presents its report to President Johnson. From left to right: [[John J. McCloy|John McCloy]], [[J. Lee Rankin]] (General Counsel), Senator [[Richard Russell, Jr.|Richard Russell]], Congressman [[Gerald Ford]], Chief Justice [[Earl Warren]], President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]], [[Allen Dulles]], Senator [[John Sherman Cooper]], and Congressman [[Hale Boggs]].]]
On November 29, President Johnson established by executive order "[[Warren Commission|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy]]" and selected Chief Justice [[Earl Warren]] of the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] to chair the investigation, commonly known as the Warren Commission.<ref>[[#Baluch|Baluch (1963)]]</ref><ref name="kurtz2"/> Its 888-page final report was presented to Johnson on September 24, 1964, and made public three days later.<ref>[[#Roberts|Roberts (1964)]]</ref> It concluded that [[Lee Harvey Oswald]] had acted alone in killing Kennedy and wounding Connally, and that [[Jack Ruby]] acted alone in killing Oswald.<ref>[[#Lewis|Lewis (1964)]], p. 1.</ref><ref>[[#Pomfret|Pomfret (1964)]], p. 17.</ref> It made no conclusions as to Oswald's motive, but noted his [[Marxism]], [[anti-authoritarianism]], violent tendencies, failure to form personal relationships, and his desire to be significant in history.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 359.</ref>

Upon examining the Zapruder film, commission staffers realized that the FBI's gunshot theory was impossible. The reaction times of Kennedy and Connally were too close to have been caused by two bullets from Oswald: the reaction interval was less than the 2.3 seconds that it took to reload.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 454–457.</ref><ref>[[#Sabato|Sabato (2013)]], p. 136.</ref> This was one of the commission's most crucial findings: that a single shot caused the non-fatal wounds of Kennedy and Connally, known as the "single-bullet theory".<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. xx.</ref><ref>[[#Specter|Specter (2015)]]</ref> In May 1964, staffer [[Arlen Specter]] replicated the single bullet's trajectory via a reenactment in Dealey Plaza: the bullet's path was exactly consistent with Kennedy's and Connally's wounds.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 355, 455.</ref>

Out of the eight commission members, three—Representative [[Hale Boggs]] and Senators [[John Sherman Cooper|John Cooper]] and [[Richard Russell Jr.|Richard Russell]]—found the theory "improbable"; their qualms were not mentioned in the final report.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 455–456.</ref> Conspiracy theorists labelled this theory the "magic bullet theory", partly due to the bullet's intact and purportedly pristine state. However, the HSCA's [[Michael Baden]] noted that the bullet, despite its lack of fragmentation, was fundamentally deformed.<ref name="posnerbullet"/> In 2023, Secret Service Agent Paul Landis—who had stood on the running board of Kennedy's car—told ''The New York Times'' that he retrieved the "magic bullet" from immediately behind Kennedy's seat upon arrival at Parkland, and that he placed it on Kennedy's stretcher. Landis believes that the bullet dislodged from a shallow wound in Kennedy's back.<ref>[[#Baker|Baker (2023)]]</ref>

As well as the Warren Report's 27 published volumes, the commission created hundreds of thousands of pages of investigative reports and documents. [[Relman Morin]] stated that "Never in history was a crime probed as intensely"; Bugliosi concluded that the commission's basic findings have "held up remarkably well".<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. xxxii–xxxiii.</ref> According to [[Gerald Posner]], the Warren report is "universally derided" by the American public.<ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], p. x.</ref> Walter Cronkite noted that, "Although the Warren Commission had full power to conduct its own independent investigation, it permitted the FBI and the CIA to investigate themselves – and so cast a permanent shadow on the answers."<ref>[[#CBS|'The Warren Report – Part 4 – Why Doesn't America Believe the Warren Report?". CBS.]]</ref> According to a 2014 report by CIA Chief Historian [[David Robarge]], then-CIA director [[John A. McCone]] was involved in a "benign cover-up" by withholding information from the commission.<ref>[[#Shenon|Shenon (2014)]]</ref>

===Trial of Clay Shaw===
{{Main|Trial of Clay Shaw}}
[[File:Cartão de imigração de Clay LaVergne Shaw (frente) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=.85|alt=A portrait of Clay Shaw|[[Clay Shaw]] (pictured in 1951) was [[Trial of Clay Shaw|acquitted]] by the New Orleans jury after less than an hour of deliberation.]]

On March 22, 1967, New Orleans District Attorney [[Jim Garrison]] arrested and charged New Orleans businessman [[Clay Shaw]] with conspiring to assassinate President Kennedy, with the help of Oswald, [[David Ferrie]], and others.<ref name="bug1347"/> A respected businessman who had helped renovate and preserve the [[French Quarter]],<ref name="bug1347"/> Shaw was described as "the unlikeliest villain since [[Oscar Wilde]]".<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 1348.</ref> Both Shaw and the neurotic, avidly anti-Castro Ferrie were members of [[LGBT history in Louisiana|New Orleans' gay community]].<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 1348–1349.</ref> Ferrie died, possibly by suicide, four days after news of the investigation broke.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 1399, 1401.</ref> On ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson]]'' in 1968, Garrison first publicly alleged that Shaw and Ferrie had been part of a [[CIA Kennedy assassination conspiracy theory|larger CIA scheme]] to kill Kennedy and frame Oswald.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 1349.</ref> In the 34-day trial conducted in 1969,<ref name="Bugliosi 2007">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 1351.</ref> Garrison played the Zapruder film and argued that the backwards motion of Kennedy's head after the fatal shot was indicative of a shooter in front on the grassy knoll.<ref name="backandtotheleft">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 371, 504, 1349.</ref>

After a brief deliberation, the jury found Shaw not guilty.<ref name="Bugliosi 2007"/> [[Mark Lane (author)|Mark Lane]] interviewed the jurors after the trial and stated that some believed that Shaw likely was involved in a conspiracy but that there was insufficient evidence to convict.<ref>[[#Lane|Lane (1991)]], p. 221.</ref><ref>[[#Davy|Davy (1999)]], p. 173.</ref> Lane's claims have been disputed by playwright [[James Kirkwood, Jr.|James Kirkwood]]—a personal friend of Clay Shaw—who said that he met several jurors who denied ever speaking to Lane.<ref>[[#Kirkwood|Kirkwood (1992)]], p. 510.</ref><ref>[[#Shawesq|Kirkwood (1968)]]</ref> Kirkwood also questioned Lane's claim that the jury believed that there was a conspiracy:<ref>[[#Kirkwood|Kirkwood (1992)]], p. 557.</ref> jury foreman Sidney Hebert told Kirkwood, "I didn't think too much of the Warren Report either until the trial. Now I think a lot more of it than I did before."<ref>[[#Kirkwood|Kirkwood (1992)]], p. 511.</ref>

According to academic E. Jerald Ogg, the Shaw trial is now widely regarded as a "travesty of justice";<ref>[[#Ogg|Ogg (2004)]], p. 137.</ref> Kirkwood likened the trial to a [[Spanish Inquisition]] hearing.<ref>[[#Ogg|Ogg (2004)]], p. 139.</ref> Other observers have characterized the proceedings as relying on homophobia.<ref>[[#Evica|Evica (1992)]], p. 18.</ref> It remains the only trial to be brought for the Kennedy assassination.<ref name="bug1347">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 1347.</ref> In 1979, former CIA director [[Richard Helms]] testified that Shaw had been a part-time contact of the [[CIA activities in the United States#1951|Domestic Contact Service]] of the CIA, through which Shaw volunteered information from his travels abroad, mostly to Latin America. However, according to [[Max Holland]], some 150,000 Americans were contacts.<ref name=Holland>[[#Holland|Holland (2001)]]</ref> In 1993, the PBS program ''[[Frontline (U.S. TV series)|Frontline]]'' obtained a group photograph that featured Ferrie and Oswald together at a 1955 cookout for the [[Civil Air Patrol]]: Ferrie had denied ever knowing Oswald.<ref name="frontline">[[#Frontline|"Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald". PBS.]]</ref>

===Ramsey Clark Panel===
[[File:President Lyndon B. Johnson and Attorney General Ramsey Clark.jpg|thumb|upright=1|alt=President Lyndon B. Johnson and Attorney General Ramsey Clark shaking hands.|The panel organized by Attorney General [[Ramsey Clark]] (pictured with President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] in 1968) found that two bullets struck Kennedy from behind.]]
Excluding Chief Justice Warren, the members of Warren Commission did not view the photographs or X-rays taken during Kennedy's autopsy. According to Warren, this was to avoid having to publicly release the explicit material to "sensation mongers".<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 426–427.</ref> Due to persistent speculation, in February 1968, Attorney General [[Ramsey Clark]] convened a panel of four medical experts to examine the photographs and X-rays from the Kennedy autopsy. Their findings concurred with the Warren Commission: Kennedy was struck by two bullets, both from behind.<ref name="bug369"/>

===Rockefeller Commission===
{{Main|United States President's Commission on CIA Activities within the United States}}
In 1975, President [[Gerald Ford]]—who had been a member of the Warren Commission a decade prior—established the [[United States President's Commission on CIA Activities within the United States]], better known as the Rockefeller Commission after its chairman, Vice President [[Nelson Rockefeller]].<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. xix, 369.</ref><ref name="ford">[[#Ford|"U.S. President's Commission on CIA Activities within the United States Files, [1947-74] 1975". Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.]]</ref> The commission received a mandate to determine if any domestic activities by the CIA were unlawful and to make appropriate recommendations: accordingly, it also re-examined the Kennedy assassination.<ref name="bug369">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 369.</ref>
[[File:Back-and-to-the-left-fairuse.png|thumb|left|upright=1.7|alt=Four juxtaposed frames from the Zapruder film illustrating the backwards motion of his head and body after the fatal head shot|The [[Rockefeller Commission]] first proposed that the backwards motion of Kennedy following the fatal shot—which conspiracy theorists claim is indicative of a shot from the grassy knoll—was due to a "seizure-like neuromuscular reaction".]]
After five months of investigation, the Rockefeller Commission submitted its report to President Ford.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 1214.</ref> The report reviewed the medical evidence and agreed that Kennedy had been killed by two shots from behind.<ref name="bug369"/> Refuting Garrison's claims that the backwards motion of Kennedy's head seen on the Zapruder film was indicative of a grassy knoll shooter,<ref name="backandtotheleft"/> the commission found that "such a motion would be caused by a violent straightening and stiffening of the entire body as a result of a seizure-like neuromuscular reaction to major damage inflicted to nerve centers in the brain".<ref name="reitzes">[[#Reitzes|Reitzes (2013)]]</ref> The later HSCA suggested that the "[[Newton's laws of motion#Third|propulsive effect resulting from brain matter]]" ejected from the exit wound may have been responsible.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 484.</ref> Pathologist [[Vincent Di Maio]] testified before the HSCA that the notion of a "transfer of momentum" from a grassy knoll bullet was unfounded and something from "[[Arnold Schwarzenegger filmography|Arnold Schwarzenegger]] pictures".<ref name="reitzes"/>

The Rockefeller Commission also sought to determine whether CIA operatives—particularly [[E. Howard Hunt]] and [[Frank Sturgis]]—were present in Dealey Plaza during the assassination, and whether they were among the "[[three tramps]]" pictured shortly after the assassination. The commission found no evidence for these claims.<ref name="ford"/> It also inquired into purported connections between the CIA and Oswald and Ruby, for which it found no evidence and concluded was "farfetched speculation".<ref name="ford"/> They concluded that there was "no credible evidence of CIA involvement".<ref name="bug369"/>

===Church Committee===
{{Main|Church Committee}}
[[File:Church Committee report (Book II) (page 1 crop).jpg|thumb|upright=.7|alt=Title page of Book II of the Church Committee report|Church Committee report (Book II)]]
In 1975, following the [[Watergate scandal]] and the revelation of CIA misconduct by [[Seymour Hersh]] (the CIA's so-called "[[Family Jewels (Central Intelligence Agency)|Family Jewels]]"), the [[U.S. Senate]] launched the [[United States Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities]]—better known as the Church Committee after its chairman, Senator [[Frank Church]].<ref>[[#jewels|"Timeline of the C.I.A.'s 'Family Jewels'". ''The New York Times'']]</ref><ref>[[#x|"Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities". US Senate.]]</ref><ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 369–370.</ref> The committee was to investigate all improper and unlawful actions by the CIA and FBI, both foreign and domestic. Due to persisting theories, the Church Committee organized a subcommittee (staffed by Senators [[Richard Schweiker]] and [[Gary Hart]]) to examine CIA and FBI conduct pertaining to the assassination.<ref name="bug370">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 370.</ref>

In its final report, the Church Committee concluded that there was no evidence of a CIA- or FBI-led conspiracy.<ref name="bug370"/> They found that the original investigation into the assassination was "deficient" and criticized the FBI and CIA for withholding information from the Warren Commission. In particular, it noted that knowledge of the [[CIA Assassination attempts on Fidel Castro|CIA's many failed attempts to assassinate Castro]] may have significantly affected the course of the investigation.<ref name="bug370"/><ref name="thehorror"/> Moreover, the Church Committee revealed that the CIA had conspired with the [[Italian-American Mafia|Mafia]] in these plots against Castro.<ref name="bug370"/><ref>[[#Sabato|Sabato (2013)]], p. 548.</ref> These revelations led to further public scrutiny of the assassination.<ref name="thehorror">[[#Kurtz|Kurtz (1982)]], p. 8.</ref>

===United States House Select Committee on Assassinations===
{{Main|United States House Select Committee on Assassinations}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| total_width       = 230
| image1            = HSCA-Connally-7-166.jpg
| image2            = JFK Assassination - HSCA - Dr. Cyril Wecht's testimony.ogg
| caption1          = The HSCA concurred with the [[Warren Commission]]'s [[single-bullet theory]]. (The figure illustrates how the oblong wound in Connally's back was indicative of a bullet which had been tumbling after striking an intervening object.)
| caption2          = Of the nine-member medical panel, only Dr. [[Cyril Wecht]] (testimony above) rejected the theory.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 859.</ref>
| alt1              = A illustration shows the bullet, which had hit Kennedy a moment before, rotating and tumbling before entering Connally's skin, causing his entry wound.
}}

As a result of increasing public and congressional skepticism of the Warren Commission's findings and the transparency of government agencies,<ref name="thehorror"/> in 1976 the House Select Committee on Assassinations was created to investigate the assassinations of Kennedy and [[Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.|that of Martin Luther King, Jr.]]<ref>[[#Stokes|Stokes (1979)]], pp. 9–16.</ref>

The HSCA conducted its inquiry until 1978 and issued its final report the following year, concluding that Kennedy was likely assassinated as a result of a [[conspiracy (crime)|conspiracy]].<ref>[[#Stokes|Stokes (1979)]], p. 2.</ref> They concluded that there was a "high probability" that a fourth shot was fired from the grassy knoll, but they stated that this shot missed Kennedy.<ref name="bugxii">[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (1998)]], p. xxii.</ref> Concerning the conclusions of "probable conspiracy", four of the twelve committee members wrote dissenting opinions.<ref name="stokes2">[[#Stokes|Stokes (1979)]], pp. 483–511.</ref>

The HSCA also concluded that previous investigations into Oswald's responsibility were "thorough and reliable" but did not adequately investigate the possibility of a conspiracy, and that federal agencies performed with "varying degrees of competency".<ref>[[#Stokes|Stokes (1979)]], pp. 2–3.</ref> Specifically, the FBI and CIA were found to be deficient in sharing information with other agencies and the Warren Commission. Instead of furnishing all relevant information, the FBI and CIA only responded to specific requests and were still occasionally inadequate.<ref>[[#Stokes|Stokes (1979)]], pp. 239–261.</ref> Furthermore, the Secret Service did not properly analyze information it possessed prior to the assassination and was inadequately prepared to protect Kennedy.<ref name="stokes2"/>

The chief reason for the conclusion of "probable conspiracy" was, according to the report's dissent, the subsequently discredited acoustic analysis of a [[John F. Kennedy assassination Dictabelt recording|police channel Dictabelt recording]].<ref name="bugxii"/><ref name="CBAReport">[[#NRC|"Report of the Committee on Ballistic Acoustics". National Research Council.]]</ref><ref name="JusticeDeptMemo">[[#Weld|Letter from Assistant Attorney General William F. Weld to Peter W. Rodino Jr., undated.]]</ref> In accordance with the recommendations of the HSCA, the Dictabelt recording and acoustic evidence of a second assassin was subsequently reexamined. In light of investigative reports from the FBI's Technical Services Division and a specially appointed [[National Academy of Sciences]] Committee determining that "reliable acoustic data do not support a conclusion that there was a second gunman",<ref name="CBAReport"/> the Justice Department concluded "that no persuasive evidence can be identified to support the theory of a conspiracy" in the Kennedy assassination.<ref name="JusticeDeptMemo" />

===JFK Act and Assassination Records Review Board===
{{Main|President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992}}
[[File:Oliver Stone 01.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|left|alt=A portrait of Oliver Stone|[[Oliver Stone]]'s 1991 film ''[[JFK (film)|JFK]]'' spurred the "[[President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992|JFK Act]]", which mandated the release of all relevant classified files.]]
In 1991, [[Oliver Stone]]'s film ''[[JFK (film)|JFK]]'' renewed interest in the assassination and particularly in the still-classified files relating to the killing. In response, Congress passed the [[President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992|JFK Records Act]], which called for the National Archives to collect and release all assassination-related documents within 25 years.<ref>[[#AARBR|Final Report of the Assassination Records Review Board]], p. xxiii.</ref><ref name="2017a"/><ref>[[#Hornaday|Hornaday (2021)]]</ref> The act also mandated the creation of an independent office, the [[Assassination Records Review Board]], to review the submitted records for completeness and continued secrecy. From 1994 until 1998, the Assassination Records Review Board gathered and unsealed about 60,000 documents comprising over 4&nbsp;million pages.<ref>[[#AARBR|Final Report of the Assassination Records Review Board]], Chapter 4.</ref><ref>[[#Unlock|Tunheim (2000)]].</ref>

A 1998 staff report for the Assassinations Records Review Board contended that brain photographs in the Kennedy records may not be of Kennedy's brain, reportedly showing much less damage than Kennedy sustained. Dr. Boswell refuted these allegations.<ref>[[#Lardner|Lardner Jr. (1998)]].</ref> The board also found that, conflicting with the photographic images showing no such defect, several witnesses (at both Parkland hospital and the autopsy) remembered a large wound in the back of Kennedy's head.<ref>[[#Stone|Stone (2013)]]</ref> The board, and board member Jeremy Gunn, stressed the problems with witness testimony, urging people to weigh all of the evidence, with due concern for human error, rather than take single statements as "proof" for one theory or another.<ref>[[#Scientists|"Clarifying the Federal Record on the Zapruder Film and the Medical and Ballistics Evidence". Federation of American Scientists.]]</ref>

All remaining assassination-related records  were scheduled to be released by October 2017, with the exception of documents certified for continued postponement by succeeding presidents due to "identifiable harm... to the military, defense, intelligence operations, law enforcement, or conduct of foreign relations... of such gravity that it outweighs the public interest in disclosure."<ref>[[#Bender1|Bender (2013)]]</ref><ref name=Trump/> President [[Donald Trump]] said in October 2017 that he would not block the release of documents,<ref name=Trump>[[#Trump|"Trump has no plan to block scheduled release of JFK records". Associated Press.]]</ref> but in April 2018—the deadline he set to release all JFK records—Trump blocked the release of some records until October 2021.<ref>[[#Shapira|Shapira (2018)]]</ref><ref name="2017a">[[#2017|"National Archives Releases JFK Assassination Records". The National Archives.]]</ref> President [[Joe Biden]], citing the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], delayed the release further,<ref>[[#Bender1|Bender (2021)]]</ref><ref>[[#Biden|"Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies on the Temporary Certification Regarding Disclosure of Information in Certain Records Related to the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy". The White House.]]</ref> before releasing 13,173 unredacted documents in 2022.<ref name="matza">[[#Matza|Matza (2022)]]</ref> A second group of files were unsealed in June 2023, at which point 99 percent of documents had been made public.<ref name="matza"/><ref>[[#June2023|Fossum (2023)]]</ref>

==Conspiracy theories==
{{main|John F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| total_width       = 500
| image1            = Grassy Knoll.jpg
| caption1          = The wooden fence on the [[grassy knoll]], where many theories claim that a second gunman stood.
| alt1              = The wooden fence on the grassy knoll
| image2            = Badgeman.jpg
| alt2              = A photo of the purported badgeman
| caption2          = The "[[Badge Man]]" can purportedly be seen firing a weapon from the grassy knoll in this expansion of the [[Mary Moorman photograph]].<ref name="bug885"/>
}}

The Kennedy assassination has been described as "the mother of all conspiracies".<ref>[[#Broderick|Broderick (2008)]], p. 203.</ref>
For decades, polls have consistently found that a majority of Americans believe there was a conspiracy;<ref name="Gallup, Inc">[[#Gallup|"Majority in U.S. Still Believe JFK Killed in a Conspiracy: Mafia, federal government top list of potential conspirators". Gallup.]]</ref><ref>[[#Chinni|Chinni (2017)]]</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Decades Later, Most Americans Doubt Lone Gunman Killed JFK |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/514310/decades-later-americans-doubt-lone-gunman-killed-jfk.aspx |last=Brenan |first=Megan |date=November 13, 2023 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=[[Gallup, Inc.|Gallup]] |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113122327/https://news.gallup.com/poll/514310/decades-later-americans-doubt-lone-gunman-killed-jfk.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> some 1,000 to 2,000 books—mostly pro-conspiracy—have been written about the killing.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. xiv, 974.</ref> Across different theories, Oswald's role varies from co-conspirator to entirely innocent.<ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], p. ix.</ref><ref name="ARRB-C1"/> Common culprits include the FBI, the CIA, the U.S. military,<ref name="ARRB-C1">[[#ARRB|Assassination Records Review Board (1998)]], p. 6.</ref> the Mafia,<ref name="xlii">[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. xlii.</ref> the [[military-industrial complex]],<ref name="xlii"/> Vice President Johnson, Castro, the [[KGB]], or some combination thereof.<ref>[[#Summers|Summers (2013)]], p. 238.</ref> Bugliosi estimated that a total of 42 groups, 82 assassins, and 214 people had been accused in various assassination theories.<ref>[[#Patterson|Patterson (2013)]]</ref>

Conspiracy theorists often argue that there were multiple shooters—a "triangulation of crossfire"—and that the fatal shot was fired from the grassy knoll and struck Kennedy in the front of the head.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 390, 1012.</ref> Individuals present in Dealey Plaza have been the subject of much speculation, including the [[three tramps]], the [[umbrella man (JFK assassination)|umbrella man]], and the purported [[Badge Man]].<ref>[[#nym|"Oswald Didn't Kill Kennedy". ''New York Magazine''.]]</ref><ref>[[#Michaud|Michaud (2011)]]</ref><ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 903–904.</ref> Conspiracy theorists argue that the autopsy and official investigations were flawed or, at worst, complicit,<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. xiv, 385, 440, 1057–1059.</ref> and that witnesses to the Kennedy assassination met mysterious and suspicious deaths.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2008|Bugliosi (2008)]], p. 1012.</ref>

Conspiracy theories have been espoused by notable figures, such as [[L. Fletcher Prouty]], Chief of Special Operations for the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] under Kennedy, who believed that elements of the U.S. military and intelligence communities had conspired to assassinate the president.<ref>[[#Carlson|Carlson (2001)]]</ref> Governor Connally also rejected the single-bullet theory,<ref>[[#Ogg|Ogg (2004)]], p. 134.</ref><ref>[[#Posner|Posner (1993)]], p. 333.</ref> and President Johnson reportedly expressed doubt regarding the Warren Commission's conclusions prior to his death.<ref>[[#Ogg|Ogg (2004)]], pp. 134–135.</ref> According to [[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]], his father believed that the Warren Report was a "shoddy piece of craftsmanship" and that John F. Kennedy had been killed by a conspiracy, possibly involving Cuban exiles and the CIA.<ref>[[#Shenon|Shenon (2023)]]</ref> Communist rulers like Castro and Soviet leader [[Nikita Khrushchev]] believed that Kennedy had been killed by right-wing Americans.<ref>[[#Sabato|Sabato (2013)]], pp. 29–30.</ref> Former CIA director [[R. James Woolsey]] has argued that Oswald killed Kennedy as part of a Soviet conspiracy.<ref>[[#Russo|Russo (2021)]]</ref>

==Legacy==
===Political impact and memorialization===
[[File:US Half Dollar Obverse 2015.png|thumb|upright=.8|alt=A 2015 Kennedy half dollar|Congress authorized the minting of a new 50-cent piece, the [[Kennedy half dollar]], in December 1963.<ref name="mint"/>]]

On November 27—five days after the assassination—President Johnson delivered his "[[Let Us Continue]]" speech to Congress.<ref>[[#Witherspoon|Witherspoon (1987)]], pp. 531—532.</ref> Effectively an [[United States presidential inauguration|inaugural address]],<ref>[[#Witherspoon|Witherspoon (1987)]], p. 536.</ref> Johnson called for the realization of Kennedy's policies, particularly on [[Civil rights movement|civil rights]]; this effort soon materialized as the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]].<ref>[[#Witherspoon|Witherspoon (1987)]], pp. 536—538.</ref> Confusion surrounding Johnson's succession led to the [[Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Twenty-fifth Amendment to the U.S Constitution]], which was adopted in 1967 and affirmed that the vice president became president upon the president's death.<ref>[[#Bomboy|Bomboy (2022)]]</ref>

On November 29, President Johnson issued Executive Order 11129, renaming Florida's [[Cape Canaveral]]—a name borne since at least 1530—to Cape Kennedy.<ref>[[#Fantova|Fantova (1964)]], pp. 57–58, 62.</ref>{{efn|group=note|In 1973, due to Floridians' discontent with the change, Florida Governor [[Reubin Askew]] mandated that Cape Kennedy be referred to as Cape Canaveral on all state documents and maps. The [[U.S. Board of Geographic Names]] accepted the name change later that year.<ref>[[#Canaveral|"History of Cape Canaveral" ''Spaceline''.]]</ref>}} NASA's Launch Operations Center, located on the cape, was also renamed as the [[Kennedy Space Center]].<ref>[[#NASA|"History of John F. Kennedy Space Center". NASA.]]</ref> The federal government honored Kennedy in other ways, such as replacing the [[Franklin half dollar|Benjamin Franklin half dollar]] with the [[Kennedy half dollar]],<ref name="mint">[[#NASA|"Minting a Legacy: The History of the Kennedy Half Dollar". NPS.]]</ref> and renaming Washington, D.C.'s long-planned National Culture Center as the [[John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts]].<ref>[[#Robertson|Robertson (1971)]]</ref> New York City's airport was also renamed as the [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]].<ref>[[#nyc|"JFK International Marks Major Milestones in 2013 as 50th Anniversary of Airport Renaming Approaches". Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.]]</ref>

Kennedy's assassination also resulted in an overhaul of the Secret Service and its procedures. Open limousines were eliminated, staffing was significantly increased, and specialized teams like counter-sniper units were established. The agency's budget has also increased, from $5.5 million in 1963 (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|5.5|1963|2013|fmt=|r=0}}&nbsp;million in 2013) to over $1.6 billion by the 50th anniversary in 2013.<ref>[[#Naylor|Naylor (2013)]]</ref>

===Cultural impact and depictions===
{{See also|Assassination of John F. Kennedy in popular culture}}
{{quote box |bgcolor = powderblue | width =28em |align = right
| quote =
{{indented plainlist|
* They say they can't believe it; It's a sacrilegious shame.
* Now, who would want to hurt such a hero of the game?
* But you know I predicted it; I knew he had to fall.
* How did it happen? Hope his suffering was small.
* Tell me every detail, for I've got to know it all,
* And do you have a picture of the pain?
}}
| source = — [[Phil Ochs]]' song "[[Crucifixion (song)|Crucifixion]]" (1966)<ref>[[#Trask|Trask (1994)]], pp. iix.</ref>
| style = padding:1.5em
| fontsize=85%
}}
John F. Kennedy's assassination was the first of four major assassinations during the 1960s, coming two years before the [[assassination of Malcolm X]] in 1965, and five years before the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and [[assassination of Robert F. Kennedy|Robert F. Kennedy]] in 1968.<ref>[[#Shahidullah|Shahidullah (2015)]], p. 94.</ref> For the public, Kennedy's assassination mythologized him into a heroic figure.<ref>[[#Ball|Ball (1982)]], p. 105.</ref> Although scholars typically regard Kennedy as a good but not great president,<ref name="brinkley"/> public opinion polls consistently find him the most popular post-WWII president.<ref name="brinkley">[[#Brinkley|Brinkley (2013)]]</ref><ref>[[#Dugan|Dugan (2013)]]</ref>

Kennedy's murder left a [[Flashbulb memory|lasting impression]] on many worldwide. As with the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] of December 7, 1941, and, much later, the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2001, asking "Where were you when you heard about President Kennedy's assassination?" became a common topic of discussion.<ref>{{cite book|title=Brinkley's Beat|first=David|last=Brinkley|location=New York|publisher=Knopf|year=2003|author-link=David Brinkley|isbn=0-375-40644-1|url=https://archive.org/details/brinkleysbeatpeo00brin}}</ref><ref>[[#White|White (1965)]], p. 6.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=A Shock Like Pearl Harbor|first=Joseph F.|last=Dinneen|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=November 24, 1963|page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people-press.org/2011/09/01/united-in-remembrance-divided-over-policies/|title=United in Remembrance, Divided over Policies|date=1 September 2011|publisher=Pew Research Center}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Mudd|2008|p=126}}</ref> Journalist [[Dan Rather]] opined that the Kennedy assassination will be discussed "a hundred years from now, a thousand years from now, in somewhat the same way as people discuss the ''[[Iliad]]''. Different people read [[Homer]]'s description of the war and come to different conclusions, and so it shall be for Kennedy's death."<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. xliii–xliv.</ref>

Along with Oliver Stone's ''JFK'', the assassination has been portrayed in several films: the pro-conspiracy, [[Dalton Trumbo]]-written ''[[Executive Action (film)|Executive Action]]'' (1973) was the first feature film to depict the assassination.<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], p. 996.</ref> Besides explicit portrayals, some critics have argued that the Zapruder film—which itself has been featured in many films and television episodes—advanced [[cinéma vérité]] or inspired more [[Violence in art#In films|graphic depictions of violence]] in [[American cinema]].<ref name="frenchies">[[#Hollywood|"How the JFK Zapruder film 'revolutionised' Hollywood". France24.]]</ref><ref>[[#Wrone|Wrone (2003)]], p. 47.</ref><ref>[[#Scott|Scott (2013)]]</ref><ref>[[#Cilento|Cilento (2018)]] pp. 149—178.</ref> Many works of literature have also explored the killing, such as [[Don DeLillo]]'s 1988 novel ''[[Libra (novel)|Libra]]'' in which Oswald is a CIA agent,<ref>[[#Bugliosi2007|Bugliosi (2007)]], pp. 1356–1357; [[#Lawson|Lawson (2017)]]; [[#Thomas1|Thomas (1997)]]</ref> [[James Ellroy]]'s 1995 work ''[[American Tabloid]]'',<ref>[[#Goldstein|Goldstein (1995)]]; [[#Vollman|Vollman (1995)]]; [[#Jordison|Jordison (2019)]]</ref> and [[Stephen King]]'s 2011 time travel novel ''[[11/22/63]]''.<ref>[[#Lawson2011|Lawson (2011)]]; [[#Maslin|Maslin (2011)]]; [[#Morris|Morris (2011)]]</ref> The assassination has also been featured in several musical compositions, such as [[Igor Stravinsky]]'s 1964 piece ''[[Elegy for J.F.K.]]'' and [[Phil Ochs]]' 1966 song "[[Crucifixion (song)|Crucifixion]]",<ref>[[#Stravinsky|"Music: Stravinsky Leads; Composer Conducts at Philharmonic Hall". ''The New York Times''.]]; [[#Lengel|Lengel]]; [[#Payne|Payne (1965)]]</ref><ref name="gates"/> which reportedly brought Robert Kennedy to tears.<ref name="gates">[[#Gates1|Gates (1998)]]</ref><ref>[[#Newfield|Newfield (2002)]], pp. 176–178.</ref> Other songs include "[[Abraham, Martin and John]]" (1968) and [[Bob Dylan]]'s "[[Murder Most Foul (song)|Murder Most Foul]]" (2020).<ref>[[#AJC|D'Angelo (2018)]]; [[#Margolick|Margolick (2018)]]; [[#Paulson|Paulson (2020)]]</ref><ref>[[#Dettmar|Dettmar (2020)]]; [[#Hogan|Hogan (2020)]]; [[#Petridis|Petridis (2020)]]</ref>

===Artifacts, museums, and locations today===
[[File:X in Road Marks Where Fatal Shot Hit President Kennedy - Dealey Plaza - Dallas - Texas - USA (19474957334).jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A painted white "X" marks where the spot on Elm Street where the fatal bullet hit Kennedy in Dealey Plaza|An "X" in the [[Dealey Plaza]] roadway marks where the fatal bullet struck Kennedy.<ref name="dealey"/>]]

In 1993, the [[National Park Service]] designated Dealey Plaza, the surrounding buildings, the overpass, and a portion of the adjacent railyard as a [[National Historic Landmark District]].<ref name="dealey">[[#nps|"Dealey Plaza Historic District". NPS.]]</ref> The Depository and its [[Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza|Sixth Floor Museum]], operated by the city of Dallas, draw over 325,000 visitors annually.<ref>[[#q|"Q: Why is it called The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza?". Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.]]</ref>

The [[VC-137C SAM 26000|Boeing 707]] that served as Air Force One at the time of the assassination is on display at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]]; Kennedy's limousine is at the [[Henry Ford Museum]].<ref name="relics">[[#Keen|Keen (2009)]]</ref> The [[Lincoln Catafalque]], on which Kennedy's coffin rested in the Capitol, is exhibited at the [[United States Capitol Visitor Center|Capitol Visitor Center]].<ref>[[#Catafalque|"The Catafalque". Architect of the Capitol.]]</ref> Jacqueline's pink suit, autopsy X-rays, and President Kennedy's blood-stained clothing are in the National Archives, with access controlled by the Kennedy family. Other items in the Archives include Parkland Hospital trauma room equipment; Oswald's rifle, diary, and revolver; bullet fragments; and the limousine's windshield.<ref name="relics" /> The Texas State Archives preserve Connally's bullet-punctured clothes; the gun Ruby used to kill Oswald came into the possession of Ruby's brother Earl, and was sold in 1991 for $220,000 (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|220,000|r=-3|1991}}}} in 2022).<ref>[[#Rubytuesday|"Jack Ruby's Gun Sold For $220,000". Associated Press.]]</ref>

At the direction of Robert F. Kennedy, some items were destroyed. The casket in which Kennedy's body was transported from Dallas to Washington was dropped into the sea, because "its public display would be extremely offensive and contrary to public policy".<ref>[[#Lancer|"Documents State JFK's Dallas Coffin Disposed At Sea". Associated Press.]]</ref>

==Notes and references==
===Notes===
{{notelist|group=note|30em}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|20em}}

===Works cited===
====Books====
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book|last=Boyd|first=John W.|date=2015|title=Parkland|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=9781467134002|ref=Boyd}}
* {{cite book|title=Four Days: The Historical Record of the Death of President Kennedy|author=United Press International |year=1964 |author2=American Heritage|publisher=American Heritage Pub. Co.|author-link=United Press International|author-link2=American Heritage (magazine)|ref=Heritage|oclc=923323127}}
* {{cite book|last=Brinkley|first=David|title=Brinkley's Beat: People, Places, and Events That Shaped My Time|publisher=Knopf |year=2003 |author-link=David Brinkley |isbn=9780375406447 |url=https://archive.org/details/brinkleysbeatpeo00brin|ref=Beat}}
* {{cite book|last=Bugliosi|first=Vincent|author-link=Vincent Bugliosi|date=2008|title=Four Days in November: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy|publisher=W.W. Norton & Co.|isbn=9780393332155|ref=Bugliosi2008}}
* {{cite book|last=Bugliosi|first=Vincent|author-mask=3|author-link=Vincent Bugliosi|date=2007|title=Reclaiming History|publisher=W.W. Norton & Co.|isbn=9780393045253|ref=Bugliosi2007}}
* {{cite book|last1=Cilento|first1=Fabrizio|date=2018|title=The Ontology of Replay: The Zapruder Video and American Conspiracy Films|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=9783030064891|ref=Cilento}}
* {{cite book|last=Daniel|first=Douglass K.|title=Harry Reasoner: A Life in the News|publisher=University of Texas Press|year=2007|isbn=9780292714779|ref=Daniel}}
* {{cite book |last1=Fischer |first1= Heinz-D |last2=Fischer |first2=Erika J. |year=2003|title=The Pulitzer Prize Archive: A History and Anthology of Award-Winning Materials in Journalism, Letters and Arts |volume=17 Complete Historical Handbook of the Pulitzer Prize System 1917–2000|publisher=De Gruyter|isbn=9783110939125|ref=Fischer}}
* {{cite book|last1=Hinckle|first1=Warren|author-link1=Warren Hinckle|last2=Turner|first2=William W.|title=The Fish is Red: The Story of the Secret War Against Castro|year=1981|publisher=Harper & Row|isbn=9780060380038|ref=Hinckle and Turner}}
* {{cite book|last=Jones|first=Howard|title=The Bay of Pigs|year=2008|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195173833|ref=Jones}}
* {{cite book|last=Kirkwood Jr.|first=James|title=American Grotesque: An Account of the Clay Shaw-Jim Garrison-Kennedy Assassination Trial in New Orleans|year=1992|publisher=Harper Perennial|isbn=9780060975234|ref=Kirkwood}}
*{{cite book|title=The place to be: Washington, CBS, and the glory days of television news|first=Roger|last=Mudd|author-link=Roger Mudd|location=New York|publisher=PublicAffairs|year=2008|isbn=978-1-58648-576-4|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/placetobewashing00mudd}}
* {{cite book|author=The New York Times|title=Four days in November: The Original Coverage of the John F. Kennedy Assassination|year=2003|publisher=St. Martin's Press|authorlink=The New York Times|editor1-first=Robert B. Jr.|editor1-last=Semple|editor1-link=Robert B. Semple Jr.|ref=nyc|oclc=1149162285}}
* {{cite book |last1=Newfield |first1=Jack |author-link1=Jack Newfield |title=Somebody's Gotta Tell It: A Journalist's Life on the Lines|year=2002 |publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=0312269005|ref=Newfield}}
* {{cite book|author=NBC News|title=There Was a President|publisher=Random House|year=1966|author-link=NBC News|ref=NBC|asin=B000GOFC9O}}
* {{cite book|last1=Pett|first1=Saul|last2=Moody|first2=Sidney C.|last3=Henshaw|first3=Tom|year=1963|title=The Torch Is Passed: The Associated Press Story of the Death of a President|publisher=Associated Press|oclc=13554948|ref=assoc}}
* {{cite book|last=Posner|first=Gerald|author-link=Gerald Posner|title=Case Closed|publisher=Random House|year=1993|isbn=9780679418252|ref=Posner}}
* {{cite book|last=Shahidullah|first=Shahid M.|title=Crime Policy in America: Laws, Institutions, and Programs|year=2015|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9780761866589|ref=Shahidullah}}
* {{cite book|last=Sabato|first=Larry|date=2013|title=The Kennedy Half-Century: The Presidency, Assassination, and Lasting Legacy of John F. Kennedy|publisher=Bloomsbury USA|isbn=9781620402801|ref=Sabato}}
* {{cite book|last=Summers| first=Anthony| title=Not in Your Lifetime| year=2013| publisher=Open Road|isbn=9781480435483|ref=Summers}}
* {{cite book|last=Trask|first=Richard B.|title=Pictures of the Pain: Photography and the Assassination of President Kennedy|year=1994|publisher=Yeoman Press|isbn=9780963859501|ref=Trask}}
* {{cite book|last=White|first=Theodore H.|author-link=Theodore H. White|title=The Making of the President, 1964|publisher=Atheneum Publishers|year=1965|asin=B003SAGZMQ|ref=White}}
* {{cite book|last=Wrone|first=David R.|date=2003|title=The Zapruder Film: Reframing JFK's Assassination|publisher=University Press of Kansas|isbn=9780700612918|ref=Wrone}}
{{Refend}}

====Government and institutional documents and reports====
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite report|last=Hoover|first=J. Edgar|author-link=J. Edgar Hoover|date=December 1, 1963|title=Reaction of Soviet and Communist Party Officials to JFK Assassination|url=https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/docid-32204484.pdf|publisher=National Archives|ref=Russkies}}
* {{cite book|last=Warren|first=Earl|author-link=Earl Warren|title=Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GPO-WARRENCOMMISSIONREPORT|year=1964|publisher=United States Government Printing Office|ref=Warren|asin=B0065RJ63E}}
* {{cite report|last=Clark|first=Ramsey|date=1968|title=1968 Panel Review of Photographs, X-Ray Films, Documents and Other Evidence Pertaining to the Fatal Wounding of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas|url=http://jfk-assassination.net/clark.txt|publisher=United States Government Printing Office|ref=Ramsey}}
* {{cite report |last=Stokes |first=Louis |author-link=Louis Stokes |title=Report of the Select Committee on Assassinations of the U.S. House of Representatives |year=1979 |publisher=United States Government Printing Office|url=https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/select-committee-report/|archive-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403232215/https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/select-committee-report |url-status=live |ref=Stokes}}
* {{cite report |via=History Matters Archive |title=HSCA Appendix to Hearings|url=https://www.history-matters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/html/HSCA_Vol6_0018a.htm|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701040525/https://www.history-matters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/html/HSCA_Vol6_0018a.htm |url-status=live|ref=Appendix1}}
* {{cite book |author=Assassination Records Review Board |author-link1=Assassination Records Review Board |title=Final Report of the Assassination Records Review Board |chapter-url=https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/review-board/report/arrb-final-report.pdf|date=September 30, 1998 |publisher=United States Government Printing Office|page=6 |chapter=Chapter 1: The Problem of Secrecy and the JFK Act |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511003730/https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/review-board/report/arrb-final-report.pdf |url-status=live|ref=ARRB}}
* {{cite book|url=http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=10264|title=Report of the Committee on Ballistic Acoustics|publisher=National Research Council|year=1982|isbn=9780309253727|doi=10.17226/10264|archive-date=December 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206161858/http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=10264|url-status=live|ref=NRC }}
* {{cite report |author=Assassination Records Review Board |author-link1=Assassination Records Review Board |title=Final Report of the Assassination Records Review Board|url=https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/review-board/report/arrb-final-report.pdf|date=September 30, 1998 |publisher=United States Government Printing Office|archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511003730/https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/review-board/report/arrb-final-report.pdf |url-status=live|ref=AARBR}}
{{Refend}}

====Warren Commission documents, exhibits, and testimonies====
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite report |title=Testimony of Gov. John Bowden Connally, Jr |work=Warren Commission Hearings |volume=IV |url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh4/html/WC_Vol4_0069a.htm |via=Assassination Archives and Research Center |pages=129–146 |archive-date=March 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315071911/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh4/html/WC_Vol4_0069a.htm |url-status=live |ref=GovConnally }}
* {{cite report |title=Testimony of Mrs. John Bowden Connally, Jr |work=Warren Commission Hearings |volume=IV |url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh4/html/WC_Vol4_0077b.htm |via=Assassination Archives and Research Center |pages=146–149 |archive-date=March 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315072011/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh4/html/WC_Vol4_0077b.htm |url-status=live |ref=MsConnally }}
* {{cite report |title=Testimony of Mrs. John F. Kennedy |date=June 5, 1964 |url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh5/html/WC_Vol5_0094b.htm |work=Warren Commission Hearings |volume=V |via=Assassination Archives and Research Center |pages=178–181 |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023062000/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh5/html/WC_Vol5_0094b.htm |url-status=live |ref=Jackie }}
* {{cite report |title=Testimony of Dr. Robert Roeder Shaw |work=Warren Commission Hearings |volume=IV |via=Assassination Archives and Research Center |url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh4/html/WC_Vol4_0055a.htm |pages=101–117 |archive-date=July 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720083513/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh4/html/WC_Vol4_0055a.htm |url-status=live |ref=Shaw }}
* {{cite report|title=Notes of interview of Lee Harvey Oswald&nbsp;— Certified military pay records for Lee Harvey Oswald for the period October 24, 1956, to September 11, 1959|work=Warren Commission Hearings|volume=22|via=Assassination Archives and Research Center|page=705|url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/contents/wc/contents_wh26.htm|archive-date=October 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019230848/http://aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh26/html/WH_Vol26_0241b.htm|url-status=live|ref=Oswaldnotes}}
* {{cite report |url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh19/html/WH_Vol19_0376b.htm |title=Warren Commission Hearings, Folsom Exhibit No. 1 (cont'd) |volume=XIX Folsom |page=734 |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111165345/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh19/html/WH_Vol19_0376b.htm |url-status=live |ref=Folsom }}
* {{cite report |title=Testimony of James Thomas Tague |url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh7/html/WC_Vol7_0280b.htm |work=Warren Commission Hearings |volume=VII |via=Assassination Archives and Research Center |date=July 23, 1964 |pages=552–558 |archive-date=July 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720080510/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh7/html/WC_Vol7_0280b.htm |url-status=live |ref=Tague }}
* {{cite report |title=Testimony of Clinton J. Hill, Special Agent, Secret Service |url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh2/html/WC_Vol2_0070b.htm |work=Warren Commission Hearings |volume=II |via=Assassination Archives and Research Center |pages=132–144 |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015094300/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh2/html/WC_Vol2_0070b.htm |url-status=live |ref=CJHill }}
* {{cite report |title=Testimony of Bobby W. Hargis |work=Warren Commission Hearings |url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh6/html/WC_Vol6_0152a.htm |volume=VI |via=Assassination Archives and Research Center |pages=293–296 |date=April 8, 1964 |archive-date=September 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925024321/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh6/html/WC_Vol6_0152a.htm |url-status=live |ref=Hargis }}
* {{cite report |title=Testimony of Clyde A. Haygood |url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh6/html/WC_Vol6_0153b.htm |work=Warren Commission Hearings |volume=VI |via=Assassination Archives and Research Center |pages=296–302 |date=April 9, 1964 |archive-date=July 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720085841/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh6/html/WC_Vol6_0153b.htm |url-status=live |ref=Haygood }}
* {{cite report|title=Commission Exhibit 2564 - Cuban visa application of Lee Harvey Oswald, September 27, 1963|url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh25/html/WC_Vol25_0422b.htm|work=Warren Commission Hearings|volume=25|via=Assassination Archives and Research Center|pages=418|archive-date=January 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111165818/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh25/html/WC_Vol25_0422b.htm|url-status=live|ref=Visa}}
* {{cite report |title=Testimony of Jack Ruby |work=Warren Commission Hearings |volume=V |via=Assassination Archives and Research Center |pages=198–200 |url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh5/html/WC_Vol5_0104b.htm |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225211313/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh5/html/WC_Vol5_0104b.htm |url-status=live |ref=RubyWC }}
* {{cite report|url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh7/html/WC_Vol7_0224b.htm|title=Testimony of Kenneth P. O'Donnell|volume=VII|pages=440–457|work=Warren Commission Hearings|via=Assassination Archives and Research Center|archive-date=January 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125105924/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh7/html/WC_Vol7_0224b.htm|url-status=live|ref=O'Donnell}}
* {{cite report |title=Testimony of Howard Brennan |work=Warren Commission Hearings |volume=III |via=Assassination Archives and Research Center |pages=144–145 |url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh3/html/WC_Vol3_0076a.htm |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726072313/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh3/html/WC_Vol3_0076a.htm |url-status=live |ref=Brennan }}
* {{cite report|work=Warren Commission Hearings|url=http://jfk-assassination.net/russ/testimony/bowers.htm|title=Testimony of Lee E. Bowers, Jr.|ref=Bowers|access-date=September 18, 2021|archive-date=June 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626141014/https://www.jfk-assassination.net/russ/testimony/bowers.htm|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite report |title=Report of Capt. J. W. Fritz, Dallas Police Department |pages=599–611 |work=Warren Commission Hearings |via=Assassination Archives and Research Center |url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wr/html/WCReport_0312a.htm |archive-date=October 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008103619/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wr/html/WCReport_0312a.htm |url-status=live |ref=Fritz }}
* {{cite report |title=Reports of Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation |pages=612–625 |work=Warren Commission Hearings |via=Assassination Archives and Research Center |url=http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wr/html/WCReport_0318b.htm |archive-date=September 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919161505/http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wr/html/WCReport_0318b.htm |url-status=live |ref=FBI }}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/nr18-05 |title=National Archives Releases JFK Assassination Records |date=October 26, 2017 |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422215303/https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/nr18-05 |url-status=live |ref=2017 }}
* {{Cite web|date=October 23, 2021|title=Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies on the Temporary Certification Regarding Disclosure of Information in Certain Records Related to the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/10/22/memorandum-for-the-heads-of-executive-departments-and-agencies-on-the-temporary-certification-regarding-disclosure-of-information-in-certain-records-related-to-the-assassination-of-president-john-f-k/|publisher=The White House|language=en-US|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028162124/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/10/22/memorandum-for-the-heads-of-executive-departments-and-agencies-on-the-temporary-certification-regarding-disclosure-of-information-in-certain-records-related-to-the-assassination-of-president-john-f-k/|url-status=live|ref=Biden}}
{{refend}}

====Journal articles====
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Ball|first1=Moya Ann|date=Winter 1994|title=The Phantom of the Oval Office: The John F. Kennedy Assassination's Symbolic Impact on Lyndon B. Johnson, His Key Advisers, and the Vietnam Decision-Making Process
|journal=Presidential Studies Quarterly|volume=24|issue=1|pages=105–119|jstor=27551197|ref=Ball}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Evica|first1=George Michael|date=1992|title=Deconstructing the DA: The Garrison Image in JFK|journal=Cinéaste|volume=19|issue=1|pages=17–19|jstor=41688060|ref=Evica}}
* {{cite report|last1=Fantova|first1=Johanna|date=Autumn 1964|title=Cape Canaveral to Cape Kennedy|journal=The Princeton University Library Chronicle|publisher=Princeton University|volume=26|issue=1|pages=57–62|ref=Fantova|jstor=26402928}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Holland|first1=Max|date=2001|title=The Lie That Linked CIA to the Kennedy Assassination|journal=Studies in Intelligence|volume=45|issue=5|ref=Holland}}
* {{cite journal|last=Huber|first=Patrick|date=Winter 2007|title=Father Oscar Huber, the Kennedy Assassination, and the News Leak Controversy: A Research Note|journal=Southwestern Historical Quarterly|volume=110|issue=3|pages=380–393|doi=10.1353/swh.2007.0016 |ref=Huber|jstor=30240454|s2cid=143939686 }}
* {{cite journal|last1=Kurtz|first1=Michael L.|date=November 1982|title=The Assassination of John F. Kennedy: A Historical Perspective|journal=The Historian|volume=45|issue=1|pages=1–19|doi=10.1111/j.1540-6563.1982.tb01568.x |jstor=24445228|ref=Kurtz}}
* {{cite journal|last=Ogg|first=E. Jerald|date=Spring 2004|title=Life and the Prosecution of Clay Shaw: A More Curious Silence|journal=Louisiana History: The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association|volume=45|issue=2|pages=133–149|ref=Ogg|jstor=4233998}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Payne|first1=Anthony|date=Summer 1965|title=Stravinsky's 'Abraham and Isaac' and 'Elegy for J. F. K.'|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/942857|journal=Tempo|volume=73|issue=73 |pages=12–15|doi=10.1017/S0040298200033520 |ref=Payne|jstor=942857|s2cid=145010719 }}
* {{cite journal|last1=Reitzes|first1=David|date=Summer 2013|title=JFK conspiracy theories at 50: how the skeptics got it wrong and why it matters|url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA345171791&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=10639330&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=aust49034&aty=ip|journal=Skeptic|volume=18|issue=3|ref=Reitzes}}
* {{cite journal|last=Stafford|first=Ned|title=Earl Rose: Pathologist prevented from performing autopsy on US President John F Kennedy|journal=BMJ|date=July 13, 2012|volume=345|doi=10.1136/bmj.e4768|s2cid=220100505|url=http://211.144.68.84:9998/91keshi/Public/File/38/345-7867/pdf/bmj.e4768.full.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104030316/http://211.144.68.84:9998/91keshi/Public/File/38/345-7867/pdf/bmj.e4768.full.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 4, 2014|ref=Stafford}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Thomas|first1=Glen|date=Spring 1997|title=History, Biography, and Narrative in Don DeLillo's Libra|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/441866|journal=Twentieth Century Literature|volume=43|issue=1|pages=107–124|doi=10.2307/441866 |ref=Thomas1|jstor=441866}}
* {{cite journal|last=Tunheim|first=John R.|date=Winter 2000|url=http://jfk-assassination.net/arrb/tunheim.htm |title=Assassination Records Review Board: Unlocking the Government's Secret Files on the Murder of a President |journal=The Public Lawyer|volume=8|issue=1|ref=Unlock}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Witherspoon|first1=Patricia D.|date=Summer 1987|title="Let Us Continue:" The Rhetorical Initiation of Lyndon Johnson's Presidency|journal=Presidential Studies Quarterly|volume=17|issue=3|pages=531–539 |jstor=27550444|ref=Witherspoon}}
{{Refend}}

====Magazines====
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite journal|last=Bagdikian|first=Ben H.|author-link=Ben Bagdikian|editor1-first=Clay Jr.|editor1-last=Blair|editor1-link=Clay Blair |date=December 14, 1963|title=The Assassin|journal=The Saturday Evening Post|issue=44|publisher=The Curtis Publishing Company|ref=Bagdikian}}
* {{cite journal|last=Friedman|first=Rick|date=November 30, 1963|title=Pictures of the Assassination Fall to Amateurs on Street |journal=Editor & Publisher|ref=Friedman}}
* {{cite magazine|last=Kirkwood Jr.|first=James|author-link=James Kirkwood Jr.|date=December 1, 1968|title=So here you are, Clay Shaw, twenty months and thousands of dollars after being charged with conspiracy in the worst crime of the century. What are you doing about it?|url=https://classic.esquire.com/article/1968/12/1/so-here-you-are-clay-shaw-twenty-months-and-thousands-of-dollars-after-being-charged-with-conspiracy|magazine=Esquire|ref=Shawesq}}
{{Refend}}

====News publications and websites====
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite news|last=Baker|first=Peter|date=September 9, 2023|title=J.F.K. Assassination Witness Breaks His Silence and Raises New Questions|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/09/us/politics/jfk-assassination-witness-paul-landis.html?smid=em-share|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910032655/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/09/us/politics/jfk-assassination-witness-paul-landis.html?smid=em-share|archive-date=September 10, 2023|url-status=live|ref=Baker}}
* {{cite news|title=Warren Heads Probe into Assassination|date=November 30, 1963|first=Jerry T.|last=Baluch|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|ref=Baluch}}
* {{cite news|last=Bender|first=Bryan|title=Troves of files on JFK assassination remain secret |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2013/11/25/government-still-withholding-thousands-documents-jfk-assassination/PvBM2PCgW1H11vadQ4Wp4H/story.html|access-date=February 12, 2015 |work=The Boston Globe|date=November 25, 2013 |archive-date=February 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211054105/http://www.bostonglobe.com/2013/11/25/government-still-withholding-thousands-documents-jfk-assassination/PvBM2PCgW1H11vadQ4Wp4H/story.html |url-status=live|ref=Bender1}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/ggburkle.htm |title=Biographical sketch of Dr. George Gregory Burkley, Arlington National Cemetery |publisher=Arlington National Cemetery |access-date=April 28, 2009 |archive-date=January 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112033637/http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/ggburkle.htm |url-status=live|ref=Arlington}}
* {{cite web|url=https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/how-jfks-assassination-led-to-a-constitutional-amendment|title=How JFK's assassination led to a constitutional amendment|last=Bomboy|first=Scott|date=November 22, 2022|publisher=National Constitution Center|access-date=|archive-date=March 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301060320/https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/how-jfks-assassination-led-to-a-constitutional-amendment|url-status=live|ref=Bomboy}}
* {{cite news|last=Borger|first=Julian|date=October 27, 2022|title=Cuban missile crisis, 60 years on: new papers reveal how close the world came to nuclear disaster|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/27/cuban-missile-crisis-60-years-on-new-papers-reveal-how-close-the-world-came-to-nuclear-disaster#:~:text=Many%20nuclear%20historians%20agree%20that,stop%20deliveries%20of%20Soviet%20missiles.|work=The Guardian|access-date=May 5, 2023|archive-date=May 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501224232/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/27/cuban-missile-crisis-60-years-on-new-papers-reveal-how-close-the-world-came-to-nuclear-disaster#:~:text=Many%20nuclear%20historians%20agree%20that,stop%20deliveries%20of%20Soviet%20missiles.|url-status=live|ref=Borger}}
* {{cite news|last=Brinkley|first=Alan|date=September 19, 2013|title=The Legacy of John F. Kennedy|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/08/the-legacy-of-john-f-kennedy/309499/|work=The Atlantic|access-date=May 31, 2023|archive-date=August 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829200547/http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/08/the-legacy-of-john-f-kennedy/309499/|url-status=live|ref=Brinkley}}
* {{cite book |last=Burkley |first=George Gregory |title=Certificate of Death |publisher=National Archives and Records Administration|at=[http://media.nara.gov/dc-metro/rg-272/605417-key-persons/kennedy_john_f_4-1_autopsy/kennedy_john_f_4-1_autopsy-0078.jpg front side], [http://media.nara.gov/dc-metro/rg-272/605417-key-persons/kennedy_john_f_4-1_autopsy/kennedy_john_f_4-1_autopsy-0079.jpg back side]|id=NAVMED Form N |date=November 23, 1963 |via= The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection|ref=Burkley}}
* {{cite web|title=The Catafalque|url=http://www.aoc.gov/nations-stage/catafalque|work=History of Capitol Hill|publisher=Architect of the Capitol|access-date=November 26, 2012|archive-date=December 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212015855/http://www.aoc.gov/nations-stage/catafalque|url-status=live|ref=Catafalque}}
* {{cite news|title=A CBS News Inquiry: The Warren Report – Part 4 |website=C-SPAN |first1=John |last1=McCloy |first2=Walter |last2=Cronkite |first3=Arlen |last3=Specter |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?454598-1/cbs-news-inquiry-warren-report-part-4|date=June 28, 1967|access-date=June 7, 2023|archive-date=April 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401025912/https://www.c-span.org/video/?454598-1/cbs-news-inquiry-warren-report-part-4|url-status=live|ref=CBS}}
* {{cite news|last=Chinni|first=Dante|date=October 29, 2017|title=The One Thing All Americans Agree On: JFK Conspiracy|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/jfk-assassination-files/one-thing-all-americans-agree-jfk-conspiracy-n815371|work=NBC|access-date=August 16, 2023|ref=Chinni}}
* {{cite web |title=Clarifying the Federal Record on the Zapruder Film and the Medical and Ballistics Evidence |url=https://fas.org/sgp/advisory/arrb98/part09.htm |website=Federation of American Scientists |access-date=January 11, 2023|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224144452/https://fas.org/sgp/advisory/arrb98/part09.htm |url-status=live }}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/the-cold-war#:~:text=Kennedy%20and%20the%20Cold%20War&text=Kennedy%20warned%20of%20the%20Soviet%27s,pro%2DSoviet%20government%20in%20Cuba.|title=The Cold War|publisher=John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum|access-date=May 16, 2023|archive-date=May 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511053736/https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/the-cold-war#:~:text=Kennedy%20and%20the%20Cold%20War&text=Kennedy%20warned%20of%20the%20Soviet%27s,pro%2DSoviet%20government%20in%20Cuba.|url-status=live|ref=Cold}}
* {{cite news|last=D'Angelo|first=Bob|date=June 3, 2018|title=Robert Kennedy assassination: Dion's 'Abraham, Martin and John' helped heal a nation in turmoil|url=https://www.ajc.com/entertainment/years-ago-dion-abraham-martin-and-john-helped-heal-nation-turmoil/12zoEyzM4nL5ZIUyeGb78N/|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|ref=AJC|access-date=September 6, 2023}}
* {{cite web|title=Dealey Plaza Historic District |url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=2164&ResourceType=District |work=National Historic Landmarks Program |publisher=National Park Service|access-date=November 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113170216/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=2164&ResourceType=District |archive-date=November 13, 2012|ref=nps}}
* {{cite magazine|last=Dettmar|first=Kevin|date=March 28, 2020|title=What Bob Dylan Is Doing in "Murder Most Foul"|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/what-bob-dylan-is-doing-in-murder-most-foul|magazine=The New Yorker|ref=Dettmar}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.jfklancer.com/LNE/coffin.html|agency=Associated Press|title=Documents State JFK's Dallas Coffin Disposed At Sea |publisher=JFK Lancer Independent News Exchange|date=June 1, 1999|access-date=October 2, 2012 |archive-date=September 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922052833/http://www.jfklancer.com/LNE/coffin.html |url-status=dead|ref=Lancer}}
* {{cite web|last1=Dugan|first1=Andrew|last2=Newport|first2=Frank|url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/165902/americans-rate-jfk-top-modern-president.aspx|title=Americans Rate JFK as Top Modern President|date=November 15, 2013|publisher=Gallup|access-date=May 31, 2023|archive-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801184550/http://www.gallup.com/poll/165902/americans-rate-jfk-top-modern-president.aspx|url-status=live|ref=Dugan}}
* {{cite news|last=Gates|first=Anita|date=June 7, 1998|title=The Private Side of a Political Story |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/07/arts/television-the-private-side-of-a-political-story.html|work=The New York Times|ref=Gates1}}
* {{cite news|last=Fossum|first=Sam|date=June 30, 2023|title=National Archives concludes review of JFK assassination documents with 99% made public|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/30/politics/jfk-assassination-documents-national-archives-review/index.html|work=CNN|access-date=July 9, 2023|ref=June2023}}
* {{cite web|title=George Jefferies Film|url=https://emuseum.jfk.org/objects/25885/george-jefferies-film?ctx=bff54dc3-013d-499e-a8a2-3090e913de55&idx=3|work=George Jefferies Collection|publisher=Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza|access-date=August 11, 2019|archive-date=August 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811221314/https://emuseum.jfk.org/objects/25885/george-jefferies-film%3Fctx%3Dbff54dc3-013d-499e-a8a2-3090e913de55%26idx%3D3|url-status=live|ref=Jefferies1}}
* {{cite news|url=http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1991/Jack-Ruby-s-Gun-Sold-For-$220-000/id-c5bc4667fa920d169cd246a913701305|date=December 26, 1991|access-date=February 15, 2013|title=Jack Ruby's Gun Sold For $220,000|first=Barbara|last=Goldberg|publisher=Associated Press|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111172800/https://imprlatbmp.taboola.com/st?cijs=convusmp&ttype=0&cisd=convusmp&cipid=66361655&crid=-1&dast=V7n9ECFgOEdEmI5o9ThASEdEmI5o9ThAUAAAAGBvQHJObazFy2xW4tMs0sbtFiM3Erh7vVWuOaDSe2kXG42PiGQGKuzcxlW-zWItPM4hYtNhO3crhbrTWu2XBiGxmHi41vCjHGcpkMaoGM5TIZ1AIJy-z3HRSU09NjdhlERdfbYnc4zZ6DWiDnG2RNk8vvhh00nQ6f616vMNxdvs9d43f7FZbT02N2-TWuicc0m-1mDudkMHLMlhuTZTRbOBeb3WCxGazmAAAAAPDw____DwEAAAAQAQAAACABAAAAQBFQ8W8hcAEAAACA8f___68BML4hkHRyKLjLd1CYLQ678x8AAAAAIAAAAAAkAALpzyUAHlPjJ___________MQP0mTcy_____zcJPQAPPgAPQgAAABdDuAgnpNbIWPNEBMRFjAAAAACe49PzjiZ1QmVR9f__328FcAUAEFAY-l1tkKU7KPEWBgAAICAmMAUw4cIcOja2QA-L32922DV-t8v-_________83-z_7RhDJ64tKEV1Ht1X4BAQDWfgEBANjUDQDgLQAu5BTCcHf5PneN3206glYMBqsjoOFgODsAAACAu____389EFzsZh7PbmIzjSy2jcexmk1cnsHGOBpNNiObZbG9zM65Itm53Z--GWO5TAa1QMIy-30HBeX09JhdBlHR9bbYHU6z56AWyPkGWdPk8hvEBw3DcjII5jdhi9FqMtksh7PlYjIYjoaj0f4EcDnAiRgsl5PJYrJbjVajzXA3mg0WKBCDCVK0aDBZjUaTxWS4Gk1Ws-Vit9sgRatWs9FmMFzNJrPdbjUcDJejEU7YYrSaTDbL4Wy5mAyGo-FoNESYW46Wo5nDsJZMfKO1aDhbrJWDlcctmTg8ppHHtBouNmvR62N6WIy73WLlRcGAoL1InhbpROSxDBa-hclmcWw8JpdjZJn4RiabYzRZGBYei2EilmhOFulEdtkXF7uZx7Ob2Ewji23jcaxmE5dnsDGORpPNyGZZ7HvL0XI0cxjWkolvtBYNZ4u1crDyuCUTh8c08phWw8VmLXp9TA-LcbdbrPyN2W4zWg0Hu-G-MdttRqvhYDfcd5hMz9TnbDRdfn-Pyjr8S7uFm8OgcBks3mnRIm0djj6jzpaaCEtb9c41sarMHq9B4Tl4VCf10JbsTXsG29-xcBwsilgiuEgnCs_n73E6TC-T4fLyfN4Kw93l-1zEEqXpIp3oFZbT02N2-TWuicc0m-1mDudkMHLMlhuTZTRbOBeb3WCxGawmYongdJFORC_j6aL-44MMdnPJaDGXbDZzxWSxSgAAAAAAAAAAS5gybwIAAABwGsRysJzs1nkQy-FutVotF-ChPkEXKECOw8Ahp3d3CvmEKG2AbLm48WOL8Hz-HqfD9DIZLi_P560w3F2-z5UBHiyXmDd_Joi1Wi1rAAAAAWwAAIAybt28BZJO8f____9xAAAAMnL0AAAA9PwEOVgNBw!&cmcv=&pix=undefined&cb=1673458080776&uv=3247&tms=1673458080776&abt=dfrc_vB!t45!ufm_vE&ru=apnews.com&ft=0&su=6&unm=FEED_MANAGER&aure=false&agl=101&cirid=f53fe617-d4fb-413b-9875-c568b6d881c7&excid=e22lLINE_ITEM_ID_WILL_BE_HERE_ON_SERVINGc&tst=1&docw=0&cs=true&cias=1|url-status=live|ref=Rubytuesday}}
* {{cite news|last=Goldstein|first=Patrick|date=February 19, 1995|title=Welcome to Sleaze 101 : When James Ellroy starts explaining the Kennedy assassination, watch out|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-19-bk-41151-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|ref=Goldstein|access-date=September 6, 2023}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/offices/history/center_history/kennedy_space_center|title=History of John F. Kennedy Space Center|date=September 20, 2016 |publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration|access-date=May 18, 2023|archive-date=April 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420232627/https://www.nasa.gov/offices/history/center_history/kennedy_space_center/|url-status=live|ref=NASA}}
* {{cite magazine|last=Hogan|first=Mike|date=March 27, 2020|title=OK Boomer: How Bob Dylan's New JFK Song Helps Explain 2020|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/03/how-bob-dylans-new-jfk-song-helps-explain-2020|magazine=Vanity Fair|access-date=September 6, 2023|ref=Hogan}}
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* {{cite news|last=Hornaday|first=Ann|date=December 22, 2021|title='JFK' at 30: Oliver Stone and the lasting impact of America's most dangerous movie|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/12/22/oliver-stone-jfk-anniversary/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 15, 2023|ref=Hornaday}}
* {{cite news|date=November 22, 2013|title=How the JFK Zapruder film 'revolutionised' Hollywood|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20131122-zapruder-firm-jfk-assasination-influence-hollywood-film-thoret|agency=France24|access-date=June 7, 2023|ref=Hollywood}}
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* {{cite web|url=https://www.panynj.gov/port-authority/en/press-room/press-release-archives/2013_press_releases/jfk_internationalmarksmajormilestonesin2013as50thanniversaryofai.html#:~:text=On%20Dec.,Kennedy%20International%20Airport.|title=JFK International Marks Major Milestones in 2013 as 50th Anniversary of Airport Renaming Approaches |date=December 17, 2013|publisher=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey|access-date=July 2, 2023|ref=nyc}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/senators/FeaturedBios/Featured_Bio_KennedyJohnF.htm|title=John F. Kennedy: A Featured Biography|publisher=United States Senate|access-date=May 16, 2023|archive-date=April 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404050442/https://www.senate.gov/senators/FeaturedBios/Featured_Bio_KennedyJohnF.htm|url-status=live|ref=Senate}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/john-f-kennedy/|title=John F. Kennedy|publisher=The White House|access-date=May 5, 2023|archive-date=May 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505002146/https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/john-f-kennedy/|url-status=live|ref=WhiteHouse}}
* {{cite news|last=Jones|first=Chris|date=September 16, 2013|title=The Flight from Dallas|url=http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a24834/flight-from-dallas-1013/|work=Esquire|access-date=June 12, 2017|archive-date=August 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803082127/https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a24834/flight-from-dallas-1013/|url-status=live|ref=Jonesesq}}
* {{cite news|last=Jordison|first=Sam|date=May 7, 2019|title=American Tabloid by James Ellroy is our Reading group book for May|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2019/may/07/american-tabloid-by-james-ellroy-is-our-reading-group-book-for-may|work=The Guardian|ref=Jordison|access-date=September 6, 2023}}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2009-11-20-jfkrelics20_ST_U.htm |title=JFK 'relics' stir strong emotions |last=Keen |first=Judy |date=November 20, 2009 |work=USA Today |access-date=November 20, 2009 |archive-date=February 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215105151/http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2009-11-20-jfkrelics20_ST_U.htm |url-status=live|ref=Keen}}
* {{cite web|last=Lane|first=Mark|date=November 22, 1963 |url=http://karws.gso.uri.edu/jfk/the_critics/lane/Natl-Guardian/Natl_Guardian.html |title=Oswald Innocent? A Lawyer's Brief |publication-date=December 19, 1963 |work= National Guardian |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130126122954/http://karws.gso.uri.edu/jfk/the_critics/lane/Natl-Guardian/Natl_Guardian.html |archive-date=January 26, 2013|ref=Brief}}
* {{cite news|last=Lawson|first=Mark|date=November 2, 2011|title=11.22.63 by Stephen King - review|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/nov/02/112263-stephen-king-review|work=The Guardian|ref=Lawson2011}}
* {{cite news|last=Lawson|first=Mark|date=October 27, 2017|title=The best books about the JFK assassination, from Norman Mailer to Don DeLillo|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/oct/27/the-best-books-about-the-jfk-assassination-from-norman-mailer-to-don-delillo|work=The Guardian|ref=Lawson}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.whitehousehistory.org/igor-stravinsky-at-the-white-house|title=Igor Stravinsky at the White House|last=Lengel|first=Edward G.|publisher=The White House Historical Association|ref=Lengel|access-date=September 6, 2023}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.spaceline.org/history-cape-canaveral/history-cape-canaveral-chapter-3/#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Board%20of%20Geographic,Center%2C%20NASA%20remained%20the%20same.|title=History of Cape Canaveral|last=Lethbridge|first=Cliff|website=Spaceline|access-date=June 5, 2023|archive-date=November 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126214628/https://www.spaceline.org/history-cape-canaveral/history-cape-canaveral-chapter-3/#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Board%20of%20Geographic,Center%2C%20NASA%20remained%20the%20same.|url-status=live|ref=Canaveral}}
* {{cite web |title=Letter from Assistant Attorney General William F. Weld to Peter W. Rodino Jr., undated |url=http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/Weisberg%20Subject%20Index%20Files/J%20Disk/Justice%20Department%20of/Justice%20Department%20of%20JFK-King%20Reinvestigation/Item%2014.pdf |access-date=October 19, 2014 |archive-date=November 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109192941/http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/Weisberg%20Subject%20Index%20Files/J%20Disk/Justice%20Department%20of/Justice%20Department%20of%20JFK-King%20Reinvestigation/Item%2014.pdf |url-status=live|ref=Weld}}
* {{cite news|last=MacAskill|first=Ewan|date=February 20, 2007|title=New JFK film: 90 seconds to assassination|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/feb/20/usa.filmnews|work=The Guardian|ref=MacAskill}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/165893/majority-believe-jfk-killed-conspiracy.aspx |title=Majority in U.S. Still Believe JFK Killed in a Conspiracy: Mafia, federal government top list of potential conspirators |publisher=Gallup, Inc. |date=November 15, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160801184321/http://www.gallup.com/poll/165893/majority-believe-jfk-killed-conspiracy.aspx |archive-date=August 1, 2016 |url-status=dead|ref=Gallup}}
* {{cite news|last=Margolick|first=David|date=June 5, 2018|title=How Robert Kennedy Inspired 'Abraham, Martin and John'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/opinion/how-robert-kennedy-inspired-abraham-martin-and-john.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 19, 2023|archive-date=May 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520040033/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/opinion/how-robert-kennedy-inspired-abraham-martin-and-john.html|url-status=live|ref=Margolick}}
* {{cite news|last=Maslin|first=Janet|date=October 30, 2011|title=Race Across Time to Stop Assassin and Fall in Love|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/31/books/stephen-kings-11-23-63-review.html|work=The New York Times|ref=Maslin|access-date=September 6, 2023}}
* {{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63994729|title=Thousands of unedited government JFK assassination files released|last=Matza|first=Max|publisher=BBC|date=December 15, 2022|access-date=December 19, 2022|archive-date=December 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219015103/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63994729|url-status=live|ref=Matza}}
* {{cite web |url=http://jfk-assassination.net/dpdtapes/ |title=The JFK Assassination Dallas Police Tapes: History in Real Time |date=November 22, 1963 |first=John |last=McAdams |work=The Kennedy Assassination |publisher=Marquette University |access-date=November 26, 2012 |archive-date=November 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115153549/http://www.jfk-assassination.net/dpdtapes/ |url-status=live|ref=McAdams}}
* {{cite magazine|last=Michaud|first=Jon|date=November 22, 2011|title=Updike, J.F.K., and the Umbrella Man|url=https://www.newyorker.com/books/double-take/updike-j-f-k-and-the-umbrella-man|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=June 4, 2023|archive-date=June 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605011752/https://www.newyorker.com/books/double-take/updike-j-f-k-and-the-umbrella-man|url-status=live|ref=Michaud}}
* {{cite news|last=Morris|first=Errol|date=November 10, 2011|title=Stephen King Goes to the Rescue of JFK|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/books/review/11-22-63-by-stephen-king-book-review.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 28, 2023|archive-date=April 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426155926/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/books/review/11-22-63-by-stephen-king-book-review.html|url-status=live|ref=Morris}}
* {{cite news|last=Munson|first=Kyle|title=Munson: Iowan more than a footnote in JFK lore|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120429/NEWS03/304290075/Munson-Iowan-more-than-footnote-JFK-lore|access-date=November 3, 2014|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|date=April 28, 2012|location=Indianapolis|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410175944/http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120429/NEWS03/304290075/Munson-Iowan-more-than-footnote-JFK-lore|archive-date=April 10, 2013|ref=Munson}}
* {{cite news|date=December 7, 1964|title=Music: Stravinsky Leads; Composer Conducts at Philharmonic Hall|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/07/archives/music-stravinsky-leads-composer-conducts-at-philharmonic-hall.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 28, 2023|ref=Stravinsky}}
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* {{cite news|last=Neuman|first=Scott|date=October 27, 2017|title=Documents Offer Insight Into Soviet View Of JFK Assassination|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/27/560345132/documents-offer-insights-into-soviet-view-of-jfks-assassination|agency=NPR|access-date=June 13, 2023|ref=Neuman}}
* {{cite news|title=Newly released film of JFK before assassination|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17229693/ns/us_news-life/|access-date=May 1, 2017|work=MSNBC|agency=Associated Press|publisher=NBC News|date=February 19, 2007|language=en|archive-date=January 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111164847/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17229693/ns/us_news-life/|url-status=live|ref=Jefferies2}}
* {{cite news |date=November 25, 2013 |title=Oswald Didn't Kill Kennedy |url=https://nymag.com/news/features/conspiracy-theories/jfk-murder/ |work=New York Magazine |access-date=June 4, 2023 |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605010250/https://nymag.com/news/features/conspiracy-theories/jfk-murder/ |url-status=live |ref=nym}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/oswald/faq/|title=Oswald's Ghost|website=American Experience|publisher=PBS|access-date=January 5, 2014 |archive-date=February 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224083211/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/oswald/faq/|url-status=dead|ref=Amex}}
* {{cite news|last=Pappalardo|first=Joe|date=October 30, 2017|title='We Want Them to Shut Up': The Two Dallas Cops Who Earned Hoover's Ire After JFK Killing|url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/declassified-jfk-documents-show-show-feud-between-fbi-and-dallas-police-10015830|work=Dallas Observer|access-date=June 24, 2023|ref=Pappalardo}}
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* {{cite web |last=Pasternack |first=Alex |date=November 23, 2012 |title=The Other Shooter: The Saddest and Most Expensive 26 Seconds of Amateur Film Ever Made |url=http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/the-other-shooter-the-saddest-and-most-expensive-26-seconds-of-amateur-film-ever-made |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130024759/http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/the-other-shooter-the-saddest-and-most-expensive-26-seconds-of-amateur-film-ever-made |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 30, 2012 |work=Vice|access-date=June 18, 2016|ref=Pasternack2}}
* {{cite news |last=Patterson |first=Thom |publisher=CNN |title=One JFK conspiracy theory that could be true |date=November 18, 2013 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/16/us/jfk-assassination-conspiracy-theories-debunked/ |access-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010232230/https://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/16/us/jfk-assassination-conspiracy-theories-debunked/ |url-status=live|ref=Patterson}}
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* {{cite news|title=Blake Pontchartrain: Where was the French Hospital in New Orleans, and what's its story?|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/gambit/new_orleans/news/blake_pontchartrain/article_0f250090-8bc9-11e9-b664-4bfd08ff9783.html|work=The Advocate|last=Pontchartrain|first=Blake|date=June 17, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|archive-date=September 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928175410/https://www.theadvocate.com/gambit/new_orleans/news/blake_pontchartrain/article_0f250090-8bc9-11e9-b664-4bfd08ff9783.html|url-status=live|ref=Pontchartrain}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/explore/monuments-and-memorials/president-john-f-kennedy-gravesite|title=President John Fitzgerald Kennedy Gravesite|publisher=Arlington National Cemetery|access-date=May 5, 2023|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706061416/https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Monuments-and-Memorials/President-John-F-Kennedy-Gravesite|url-status=live|ref=ANC}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/69hd9OSYoEGqe6_eWExDxQ.aspx|title=President Lyndon B. Johnson takes Oath of Office, 22 November 1963|publisher=John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum|access-date=September 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019190418/https://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/69hd9OSYoEGqe6_eWExDxQ.aspx|archive-date=October 19, 2018|url-status=live|ref=Oath}}
* {{cite news|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|date=March 27, 2020|title=Bob Dylan: Murder Most Foul review – a dark, dense ballad for the end times|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/27/bob-dylan-murder-most-foul-review-jfk-assassination-john-f-kennedy|work=The Guardian|access-date=May 19, 2023|archive-date=May 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520035713/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/27/bob-dylan-murder-most-foul-review-jfk-assassination-john-f-kennedy|url-status=live|ref=Petridis}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/november-22-1963-death-of-the-president|title=November 22, 1963: Death of the President|publisher=John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum|access-date=June 15, 2023|ref=Death}}
* {{cite news|last=Saner|first=Emine|date=October 21, 2013|title=The president's brain is missing and other mysteriously mislaid body parts|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2013/oct/21/presidents-brain-missing-mislaid-body-parts|work=The Guardian|archive-date=January 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120215021/https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2013/oct/21/presidents-brain-missing-mislaid-body-parts|url-status=live|ref=Saner}}
* {{cite news|date=June 26, 2007|title=Timeline of the C.I.A.'s 'Family Jewels'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/26/washington/26cia-timeline.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 12, 2023|ref=jewels}}
* {{cite news|last=Russo|first=Guy|date=February 25, 2021|title=Ex-CIA Chief Gives JFK Assassination Some QAnon-Style Spin|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/ex-cia-chief-gives-jfk-assassination-some-qanon-style-spin|work=The Daily Beast|access-date=June 10, 2023|ref=Russo}}
* {{cite news|last=Scott|first=A.O.|date=November 15, 2013|title=Footage of Death Plays On in Memory|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/movies/abraham-zapruder-and-the-evolution-of-film.html|work=The New York Times|ref=Scott|access-date=September 6, 2023}}
* {{cite news|last=Shenon|first=Philip|date=October 12, 2014|title=Was RFK a JFK Conspiracy Theorist?|url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/10/was-bobby-kennedy-a-jfk-conspiracy-theorist-111729/|work=Politico|access-date=May 30, 2023|archive-date=March 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315032708/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/10/was-bobby-kennedy-a-jfk-conspiracy-theorist-111729/|url-status=live|ref=Shenon}}
* {{cite news|last=Carlson|first=Michael|date=June 21, 2001|title=L Fletcher Prouty|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/jun/22/guardianobituaries|work=The Guardian|access-date=May 16, 2023|archive-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712105538/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/jun/22/guardianobituaries|url-status=live|ref=Carlson}}
* {{cite web |title=Q: Why is it called The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza? |url=http://www.jfk.org/go/about/faqs#faq-cat-f01-general |work=Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza |access-date=November 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117150845/http://www.jfk.org/go/about/faqs#faq-cat-f01-general |archive-date=November 17, 2012 |ref=q}}
* {{cite news |title=Warren Report Says Oswald Acted Alone; Raps FBI, Secret Service |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Chalmers M. |last=Roberts |date=September 28, 1964 |page=A1 |ref=Roberts}}
* {{cite news |last=Robertson |first=Nan C. |date=September 6, 1971 |title=At Last, the Performances Begin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/09/07/archives/at-last-the-performances-begin.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819232931/https://www.nytimes.com/1971/09/07/archives/at-last-the-performances-begin.html |url-status=live |ref=Robertson}}
* {{cite news|last=Shenon|first=Philip|date=October 6, 2014|title=Yes, the CIA Director Was Part of the JFK Assassination Cover-Up|url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/10/jfk-assassination-john-mccone-warren-commission-cia-213197|work=POLITICO|access-date=July 2, 2023|ref=Shenon}}
* {{cite news|last=Specter|first=Shanin|date=November 8, 2015|title=Shanin Specter on His 50 Years With the Single Bullet Theory|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/shanin-specter-on-his-50-years-with-the-single-bullet-theory|work=The Daily Beast|access-date=July 2, 2023|ref=Specter}}
* {{cite news|last=Stone|first=Oliver|title=JFK conspiracy deniers are in denial |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/11/20/oliver-stone-jfk-conspiracy-assassination-oswald-column/3657321/ |work=USA Today|access-date=January 11, 2023|archive-date=November 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122074350/http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/11/20/oliver-stone-jfk-conspiracy-assassination-oswald-column/3657321/ |url-status=live|ref=Stone}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/investigations/church-committee.htm|title=Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities|publisher=US Senate|access-date=June 12, 2023|ref=x}}
* {{cite news|title=Eternal flame burns at Kennedy gravesite|last=Spivak|first=Alvin|agency=United Press International|date=November 26, 1963|quote=At the mass, the Most Reverend Philip Hannan, auxiliary bishop of Washington, read from the fallen president's inaugural address and from his favorite biblical passages. This was the closest approach to a eulogy in the funeral service.|ref=Spivak}}
* {{cite news |url=http://www.journalnow.com/news/nation_world_ap/trump-has-no-plan-to-block-scheduled-release-of-jfk/article_689bbba3-9933-5145-aab7-e7eeb2ed3abe.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022084926/http://www.journalnow.com/news/nation_world_ap/trump-has-no-plan-to-block-scheduled-release-of-jfk/article_689bbba3-9933-5145-aab7-e7eeb2ed3abe.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 22, 2017 |title=Trump has no plan to block scheduled release of JFK records |work=Winston-Salem Journal|agency=Associated Press|date=October 21, 2017 |access-date=October 21, 2017|ref=Trump}}
* {{cite news|last=Vollman|first=William T.|date=February 26, 1995|title=En Route to the Grassy Knoll|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/01/05/20/specials/tabloid.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 27, 2023|archive-date=May 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527214016/https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/01/05/20/specials/tabloid.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|url-status=live|ref=Vollman}}
* {{cite news|date=November 22, 2013|title=Walter Cronkite On The Assassination Of John F. Kennedy|url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/246628793|publisher=NPR|access-date=June 7, 2023|archive-date=June 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628013459/https://www.npr.org/transcripts/246628793|url-status=live|ref=Cronkite}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/oswald/glimpse/ferrie.html|title=Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald|website=Frontline|publisher=PBS|access-date=September 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930012241/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/oswald/glimpse/ferrie.html|archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=live|ref=Frontline}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/1960|title=1960 Electoral College Results|date=November 5, 2019 |publisher=National Archives|access-date=May 16, 2023|archive-date=April 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422180529/https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/1960|url-status=live|ref=Electoral}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080526082205/http://www.jfk.org/go/home The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza] (archived May 26, 2008)
* [https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/ The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection] – National Archives and Records Administration
* [http://www.cbsnews.com/feature/jfk-assassination/ JFK Assassination:A look back at the death of President John F. Kennedy 50 years ago] – CBS News
* {{cite web |title=November 22, 1963: Death of the President |url=http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/November-22-1963-Death-of-the-President.aspx |publisher=John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum}}
* [https://archive.org/details/nationalsecurityarchive-weisberg "Weisberg Collection on the JFK Assassination"] – Internet Archive
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=DFMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38 LIFE Magazine Nov. 25, 1966]
* {{TARO|utarl|02307|John F. Kennedy Assassination Collection}}

{{Assassination of John F. Kennedy|state=expanded}}
{{John F. Kennedy}}
{{US Presidential Assassinations}}
{{US history}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kennedy, John F., assassination of}}
[[Category:Assassination of John F. Kennedy| ]]
[[Category:Assassinations in the United States|Kennedy, John Fitzgerald]]
[[Category:1963 in American politics]]
[[Category:1963 in Texas]]
[[Category:1963 murders in the United States|Kennedy, John F.]]
[[Category:1960s in Dallas]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in Texas]]
[[Category:Deaths by person in Texas]]
[[Category:Filmed assassinations|Kennedy, John F.]]
[[Category:Filmed deaths in the United States]]
[[Category:History of Dallas]]
[[Category:Murder in Dallas]]
[[Category:November 1963 events in the United States]]
[[Category:Political violence]]
[[Category:Political violence in the United States]]