From the archives: Walter Cronkite reports on John F. Kennedy's assassination on Nov. 22, 1963

Summary

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot during a motorcade in Dallas. Eyewitnesses reported his wife, Jacqueline, holding him as he slumped in her lap. Governor John Connolly, also injured, requested care for his wife. Initial reports indicated hope for the President's survival, but he was pronounced dead 35 minutes later. The assassin fired from a nearby building, targeting the President in a specially designed limousine. The tragedy prompted nationwide mourning and the closing of stock exchanges, while Vice President Lyndon Johnson prepared to assume the presidency amid global expressions of shock and condolence.

Takeaways

• 😢 Mrs. Kennedy was with President Kennedy during the assassination, showing emotional distress but initially not in shock.
• 🏥 Governor Connolly was shot in the back during the same incident, highlighting the chaotic situation.
• 🔫 The assassin's shots came from the front of the car, where President Kennedy was seated higher for visibility.
• ⛪ A Catholic priest present during the emergency procedures believed President Kennedy was still alive at one point.
• 📉 The New York Stock Exchange closed in response to the assassination, indicating the national impact of the event.
• 💔 Former President Truman was reportedly too upset to comment on the tragic developments.
• 🚗 Vice President Johnson narrowly escaped being a target due to a gap in the motorcade at the time of the shooting.
• 📷 Eyewitnesses reported seeing a rifle being withdrawn from a nearby building shortly after the shots were fired.
• 📅 President Kennedy had been on a successful tour of Texas, addressing large crowds before the assassination.
• 🌍 The news of the assassination sparked reactions from leaders around the world, indicating its global significance.

Q & A

What was the immediate reaction of Jacqueline Kennedy after President Kennedy was shot?

Jacqueline Kennedy was seen crying in the corridors of the hospital but was not in a complete state of shock.

Where was Governor Connolly shot, and what did he say about the incident?

Governor Connolly was shot just below the shoulder blade in the back. He expressed uncertainty about how it happened and requested that someone take care of his wife, Nellie.

What was the condition of President Kennedy as reported by the priests who provided last rites?

Initially, Father Huber Dallas did not believe that President Kennedy was dead when he left the emergency operating room. However, later reports indicated that the President had died.

What impact did the assassination have on the stock exchanges?

The New York Stock Exchange and other major stock exchanges closed following the news of the assassination as stock prices began to tumble.

What details were reported about the assassin's actions during the shooting?

Witnesses reported that the shots were fired from a nearby building, with one eyewitness stating they saw a rifle being withdrawn from a window shortly after the shots were fired.

How did the motorcade's arrangement affect the safety of Vice President Johnson?

A gap had opened in the motorcade just before the shots rang out, which likely helped to spare Vice President Johnson from being a target.

What public events did President Kennedy attend prior to the assassination?

Prior to the assassination, President Kennedy had attended a breakfast meeting in Fort Worth and had addressed large crowds, including a gathering of 2,200 people.

What was the time of President Kennedy's death, and who was expected to take the presidential oath afterward?

President Kennedy was officially declared dead at 1:00 PM Central Standard Time. Vice President Lyndon Johnson was expected to take the presidential oath shortly thereafter.

How did the assassination affect international leaders and their plans?

International leaders, such as Germany's Prime Minister Erhardt, reacted to the news, with Erhardt reportedly postponing his visit to Washington in light of the tragedy.

What prior incident heightened concerns about President Kennedy's safety during the Texas tour?

Concerns about President Kennedy's safety were heightened by a recent incident where Adlai Stevenson, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, was assaulted in Dallas just weeks before Kennedy's visit.