Today marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of former President of the United States John F. Kennedy. He was killed in Dallas, Texas on this day in 1963. Because it has been exactly 50 years since this tragic day in American history there has been a great deal of news coverage and stories lately that have been looking back on the assassination. There have been tributes and remembrances, as well as reports about Dallas, Texas and how much that city has changed, there have also been renewed talk about the investigation into the murder of the President. (A group called the Warren Commission looked into the murder of JFK in 1963-64 and many people found their original report and findings unsatisfactory).
For many the assassination of John F. Kennedy (JFK) was a turning point and life changing moment. It is a day that most Americans (who were alive at that time) remember well. Most people can tell you where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news of JFK being shot.
I want to share with you a number of links that you can access to listen and read more about this news story. These links are intended as additional outlets for you to practice your English, while also learning more about this major event in American history.
But first, let me provide you with a very brief summary of what happened on November 22, 1963, so you can better understand what you decide to read and/or listen to.
President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline Kennedy were in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963 for a lunch with business leaders in the city. Before the lunch the President and The First Lady traveled by car (in what is called a ‘motorcade’ – a group of cars traveling together) along the streets of Dallas so that the people could see the President during his visit. Around 12:30pm in the afternoon, as the motorcade drove down the street, JFK was shot by a man, named Lee Harvey Oswald, who was in a near by building. The Governor of Texas at the time, who was in the car was also shot, but not killed. President John F. Kennedy died around 1:00pm on November 22, 1963. The man who shot him was also killed, before he could stand trial for the murder. The Vice President of the United States at the time, Lyndon Johnson, was then sworn in as the new President of the United States of America.
Listen to more:
http://www.npr.org/2013/11/21/246580954/marking-kennedy-assassination-dallas-still-on-egg-shells
http://www.npr.org/2013/11/18/245969799/50-years-after-assassination-kennedy-books-offer-new-analysis
http://thedianerehmshow.org/audio-player?nid=16775
Read more:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/theprotojournalist/2013/11/13/243197176/who-were-you-when-jfk-was-shot
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bernice-a-king/jfks-stillvibrant-example_b_4312498.html
http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/11/17/245451439/how-texas-changed-and-changed-the-nation-in-years-since-jfk
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/henry-a-j-ramos/50-years-postcamelot-the-_b_4304762.html
