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Many people admired John F. Kennedy for his many accomplishments while President, including his support of the space program, his famous speeches, and his Civil Rights activities. Many people continue to believe he was the greatest president of all time. People also continue to wonder how Lee Harvey Oswald could have even wanted to shoot the president. Lee Harvey Oswald, described as (1) a one-time defector to the Soviet Union, active in the fair play for Cuba committee, was arrested by the Dallas police. Lee Harvey Oswald, who was twenty-four years old at the time, also was accused of slaying a police officer that had approached him in the street. Oswald was subdued after a scuffle with a second police officer in a nearby theater.
The New York Times, the first major newspaper to publish an article about the shooting in Dallas, reported in their afternoon paper that President Kennedy was shot and killed while in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson, who was also in the motorcade, was not injured in the shooting. Johnson took oath to become the President of the U.S. while in the Presidential plane as it stood on the runway preparing to return to Washington. The body of President John F. Kennedy was also on board. Immediately after the oath, the plane took off and headed for Washington. (2) Lyndon Baines Johnson was sworn in at 2:39 P. M. Standing next to Lyndon Baines Johnson as he was being sworn in to office, was Mrs. Kennedy still covered in her husband's blood.
(3) John F. Kennedy had opened his day in Fort Worth, Texas, with a speech in a parking lot and then proceeded to attend a chamber of commerce breakfast. The breakfast appearance was a particular triumph for Mrs. Kennedy, who entered late and was given a standing ovation. The presidential party, including Governor and Mrs. Connally, then flew to Dallas, an eight-minute flight.
