John F. Kennedy Memorial

Our first Saturday in Dallas has been a fun one!  The Asay's shared some delicious breakfast with us since they knew we had not been shopping yet and then off to the store we went.  After our long shopping trip we decided to explore a little downtown and visit the "Sixth Floor Museum" - the John F. Kennedy Memorial.  It was fantastic.

The museum takes you up to the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository where shots are speculated of being fired by Lee Harvey Oswald on November 22, 1963.  The tour begins with a history of Kennedy's presidency prior to the assassination.  It was really neat to learn about all he did and what was happening in America at the time.  Here are some fun facts I learned:

President Eisenhower was the oldest president in history when he handed the presidency to the youngest president in history JFK, 43, who was also the first catholic in office.

When JFK took the presidency over 50 percent of the US population was under the age of 25!

3 months after being in office JFK invaded Cuba (bay of pigs invasion) and failed.  He took responsibility and was very disappointed in the CIA firing many of the men in charge.

JFK created the Peace Corps, he wanted the young people of America to make a difference.  The Peace Corps now serves in over 139 countries.

JFK created the base for minimum wage, what now is medicare and fought to preserve natural resources.

Facing much opposition on both sides Kennedy supported civil rights and equality for all people in America.

John F Kennedy was loved and hated by many.  He planned a 5 city trip to Texas to try and gain supporters for the upcoming election when he landed at Love Field in dallas.  He stopped to shake hands with many before getting in his limosine and heading through downtown.  As he turned the corner of Elm street he was shot 3 times [so they think - some argue conspiracy and 4].  JFK was rushed to the hospital and died at 1 pm.  Johnson the vice president was immediately sworn in as president and flown back to DC.  He refused to go without Mrs. Kennedy who refused to go without her husband so Dallas made an exception and sent JFK's body to Washington with them before an autopsy was preformed.

Authorities later arrested Lee Harvery Oswald who had turned up missing when the Texas School Book Depository was asked to take role by the police [ he had just barely started working as a temp there a few months prior].  Lee denied involvement even though his rifle and finger prints were found on the sixth floor.  He had previously lived in the USSR and was a major supporter of communism.  He was on his way to being transferred to the jail [the press were allowed in to watch] when Jack Ruby stepped up infront of the crowd on live television and shot Lee, killing him.  There is continued questions of conspiracy but eventually the government ruled the Lee worked alone.

Seeing all of the artifacts from this time and photography was amazing!  If you come to Dallas the sixth floor museum must be on your to do list.

It is believed that under this freeway entrence sign is where the first shot was filed.
Some as you can see on the sidewalk firmly believe that Kennedy was actually
shot from the "Grassy null" not the sixth floor.
There are "X" s on the street marking the three spots JKF was shot at.