Permanent Exhibitions | Jan, 22 2025 3:13AM - 3:13AM
The November 22, 1963 exhibition depicts the tragic and historic event of President John F. Kennedy's assassination and outlines the transition of power from President Kennedy to President Johnson.
About & Photos
On this day in history, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. President Kennedy and Vice President Johnson were in Dallas, Texas raising money and support for Kennedy's 1964 reelection campaign. While President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, with Texas Governor John Connally and Texas First Lady Nellie Connally in the front seat, drove through downtown Dallas in an open-air presidential limousine, three shots rang out.
Both President Kennedy and Governor Connally were hit by bullets, but only President Kennedy was mortally wounded. Later, at Love Field Airport with President Kennedy’s casket aboard Air Force One, LBJ took the Oath of Office with his hand on a Catholic missal found on the plane.
Shown above
Left: The speech card from LBJ's first address to the nation as president. In this speech, he famously said, "I ask only for your help, and Gods." With this speech, he sought to comfort the American people and to reassure foreign countries that the policies and power of the U.S. government remained intact.
Right: The missal that was used to swear LBJ into office. A missal contains prayers and biblical passages used in a Catholic mass. It belonged to President Kennedy and was found aboard Air Force One.
This exhibition is located to the right of A Life in Politics exhibition. You'll see its doorway as you walk through the gallery space and around the glass cases.
