Who was JFK?
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, often referred to as JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. Born in 1917 to an influential New England family, he rose to prominence as veteran of World War II before beginning a political career, first as a Representative and then a Senator from Massachusetts.
JFK is known for several notable achievements, including his support for civil rights, his commitment to space exploration, and his handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the world closer to nuclear war. Charismatic and innovative, he is often associated with the dream of a “New Frontier” for America. He was murdered in Dallas in 1963, and his death remains one of the most significant events of the 20th century.
Read also: Criminal Investigations of October 30.
The mystery surrounding his death
John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, during a car parade. As the procession passed through Dealey Plaza, it was hit by several rifle shots. The bullets hit him in the back and head, causing his death shortly after.
Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested shortly after the murder, and the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination, concluded that he was the sole shooter and had acted alone (the lone shooter theory). However, Oswald was murdered by Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner, two days later, before he could stand trial.
Many theories dispute the Warren Commission’s conclusion and suggest that Oswald was not solely responsible. Key assumptions include:
- Internal conspiracy. Some believe that Oswald may have been manipulated or aided by others in the US government, notably the CIA, which may have seen JFK as a threat to its operations.
- The mafia. JFK and his brother Robert Kennedy, who was attorney general, took action against criminal organizations. Theorists therefore believe that the mafia could have organized the assassination as retaliation.
- The military-industrial complex. Kennedy wanted to limit American military involvement in Vietnam, which could have displeased certain influential actors linked to the arms industry and the military.
- The multiple shooter theory. According to this theory, there were multiple shooters, firing from different locations. This is based in part on the “head effect” visible in the assassination footage, which suggests a bullet coming from the front.
