November 22, 1963 - The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

The 35th president of the United States

John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1960 which was one of the biggest presidential elections because it was the first time presidential debates were televised. Kennedy and Nixon argued with each other very strongly and vigorously. Nixon kept saying that Kennedy was too young and inexperienced to handle all the responsibilities that he would be faced with as president. Kennedy remained poised and many people think the deciding factor in the debates was his charm [1]. JFK became the youngest man to win a presidential election.

Even though JFK was in office just a little past his 1,000 day mark he still managed to achieve great success for the time allotted. JFK's inaugural speech will always be remembered with the phrase "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." [2] JFK was trying to get America back on its feet and moving again. JFK's economic programs, one in which he proposed a cut in the corporate tax from 52% to 47%, helped the country sustain its largest expansion since WWII. Not only did he get economics back on track but he also called for new civil rights legislation because he believed in equal rights and new how important it was for our country.

This day in history will always be remembered . Today is not just a day of weeping but also a day to take a stand on presidential assassinations and to prevent this from ever happening again. Fifty years ago today, President Kennedy was assassinated on a campaign trip in Dallas, Texas. As his motorcade passed by the Texas School Book Depository in Dealey Plaza, gunshots were fired [3]. Although they were not far from the nearest hospital, nothing could be done to save the President. At 1:00 pm on November 22, 1963 President John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead. The whole nation was shocked and will forever be changed from this event. We have not had a presidential assassination since Kennedys and the Secret Service take all the right precautions to keep the President and officials out of harms way. It's sad that it took an assassination like this one to make us realize that but at least we did something about it.

- Hunter O. and Zach P.





[1] "John F. Kennedy" Presidential Library and Museum

http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/November-22-1963-Death-of-the-President.aspx

[2] "John F. Kennedy Elected President" The History Channel Website

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-f-kennedy-elected-president

[3] "John F. Kennedy" The White House Website

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/johnfkennedy