One of the most significant dates in the of the United States is November 22, 1963. is the day President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was in Dallas, Texas while riding in an open-air . The president was visiting Texas for the first since his inauguration in January, 1961. Kennedy was of the most popular presidents in the history the United States, and still remains so today. death shocked the nation for several reasons, but because it was televised on a live broadcast. was the first president to appear on television a time when most Americans owned a TV. was not the first president to be televised, previous presidents who appeared on TV did not the general public because before 1960, not many owned a set.

Kennedy was warned not to in an open-air car that day by his , but he wanted the public to see him . He did not want to be hidden behind armored car. According to the official government commission, fell victim to a single assassin, Lee Harvey , but many Americans dispute that finding to this . Police say Oswald shot the president from a while Kennedy rode in his car with his . The mood was festive at the time as city of Dallas welcomed the president to Texas. was a handsome, young president who was the man ever to reach the presidency.

Oswald later a Dallas police officer during his escape from crime scene, but was soon found hiding in movie theater. He required police protection from an public, and was held in protective custody. Oswald, was a former member of the U.S. military, unhappy with the president for his policies, but admitted to being the assassin. Conspiracy theories involving political parties, the Cuban government, and organized crime also been advanced as to who actually killed .