John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, knew the state of Texas was critical for a win in the 1964 Presidential Election. Plans were made for a five-city tour of Texas beginning in San Antonio and ending in Austin in the fall of 1963. The trip also was an attempt to bridge several differences between Democrats who were more liberal and those more conservative. From San Antonio, the presidential party flew to Houston and then Fort Worth. It was in Fort Worth the president made his final recorded remarks hours before his death.
The trip to Dallas was the big one. The official White House touring car was waiting for the president at Love Field. The rain had cleared and the top was removed. The scheduled parade ended with Texas Governor John Connally’s wife Nellie turning to the President and saying, “You can’t say Dallas doesn’t love you.” Seconds later, gunfire cut down Camelot in full view of the public and several home movie cameras.
Eric Bushman was our lead reporter on the commemoration of the JFK assassination 50 years ago. Each day through November 22nd, he aired a series of reports, interviewing many who were there on that fateful day in 1963.
JFK 50th is presented on KLIF and KLIF.com by Reliance Mortgage and Man’s Best Friend.
Listen below to extended interviews from some of those who were there.
images courtesy of Walt Sisco, photographer/Courtesy The Dallas Morning News/
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, jfk50.org
