The Assassination of JFK

Three blocks away from where I am staying is one of the most famous places in the States ... the site of the assassination of president John F Kennedy on November 22, 1963.

Lee Harvey Oswald is said to have shot Kennedy three times from the corner window of the Texas School Book Depository where he worked. I walked over wondering whether it was to the right or the left from the building where the area was. Very easy to find. Just look for the crowd of people.

Much controversy has come from the assassination. Was it the work of one man? Did Oswald work alone or was there help? Was he set up to take the fall, as it was said he was not a good shot, so the real shooters could escape?

The area is interesting and remains the same as on that day. An "X" marks the spot on the pavement where Kennedy took the shots. I shot the picture of the X from up on the grassy knoll. The picture of the book depository was taken as I stood on the X on the highway. It is a very popular shot as many were doing it. The corner window on the right, second from the top is where the shots rang out from.

To the left of the concrete structure in the picture are bushes which lay above a staircase. A witness standing on the staircase said he heard three shots fired from behind him. A woman across the road said she saw a puff of smoke from those same bushes and a motorcycle officer leaped off his bike and charged up the knoll also thinking the shots came from there.

The 6th floor is now a museum dedicated to Kennedy's life and the assassination, which is told from all the angles leaving you to draw your own conclusions. The corner window is set up as it was on that day. No pictures were allowed, damn it!

From the window, Oswald had a clear shot as the motorcade came towards him, again as it slowed to take the sharp corner to turn down Elm Street and, of course, as it drove away from him, which was where he took the shots. Kennedy was struck three times and a rifle, proven to be Oswald's and three spent cartridges, were found on the floor.

If in Dallas, definitely a great way to spend a few hours. I have mixed views on what I think happened. I'll have to rent JFK when I get home.