50 years ago today President John F. Kennedy was assassinated during a visit to Dallas, Texas. The news shocked the world. These photos look perfectly normal snaps until you find out more about them and then they become incredibly powerful.
The photo above was taken earlier that day when the President and a smiling Jackie Kennedy arrived at Love Field airport around 11:40 am. Little did they know that Kennedy would be dead within an hour. His body would be flown back to Washington on Air Force One from the same airport that afternoon.
Jackie Kennedy’s suit hasn’t been seen since. It has been preserved in a climate-controlled vault by the National Archives along with the blouse, shoes and tights all still stained with JFK’s blood. It is not allowed to be publicly seen until at least 2103.
John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy photographed in the motorcade by a member of the crowd moments before the shots were fired which killed the President.
Lyndon Johnson taking the oath of office on board Air Force Once following the assassination of John Kennedy. Jackie Kennedy still wears the Chanel suit stained with her husbands blood. When asked whether she wanted to change into ‘something cleaner’ she shook her head and said: ‘Let them see what they’ve done.’
Lyndon B. Johnson turns to the newly widowed Jackie Kennedy during his rushed inauguration on Air Force One
The Kennedy family leaves JFK’s funeral. Jacqueline Kennedy holds the hands of Caroline Kennedy and 3-year-old John F. Kennedy, Jr.
Source and copyright: This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Victor Hugo King. This applies worldwide.
Source and source and copyright: This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.
Source and source and copyright: This image is a work of an employee of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain.
5 Powerful Photos on the 60th Anniversary of President Kennedy’s Assassination
Feel quite upset looking through these photographs. Seems to me 1963 the year I was born was a very emotional one with extreme ups and downs. Think it paved the way for the rest of my life lol!! helene@revivalvintage x
It was John jr’s 3rd birthday the day of the funeral … It’s hard to believe that he would be 53 now … A family with so many tragedies …