This Day in History: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy

In late 1960, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was elected President of the United States. His term was notably tumultuous, marked by numerous significant events such as the initiation of the Apollo program that kicked off the space race, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the construction of the Berlin Wall, and U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Kennedy's handling of these situations earned him considerable respect, and he remains one of the most popular presidents.

As his term neared its end, Kennedy intended to run for reelection. About a year before the election, he embarked on a tour of the Southern states, considered a weak spot for him politically. An internal conflict in Texas presented an opportunity for him to resolve the issue and win the support of Southern voters.

However, during a trip in Texas, three shots were fired at President Kennedy from the airport. The first missed, the second hit his back, and the third struck his head, resulting in his death.

The official investigation concluded that the assassin was a private individual named Lee Harvey Oswald. Yet, numerous conspiracy theories have emerged surrounding the assassination, making Kennedy's murder an enduring mystery in the public's eyes—despite no official investigation questioning Oswald's guilt.