The Assassination of Lee Harvey Oswald

On November 24, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, was shot and killed by nightclub owner Jack Ruby. This dramatic event unfolded in the basement of the Dallas Police Headquarters, just two days after President Kennedy was assassinated in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas.

Background

• Lee Harvey Oswald: Oswald was a former U.S. Marine who had defected to the Soviet Union in 1959, only to return to the United States in 1962. He was arrested on November 22, 1963, shortly after the assassination of President Kennedy, and was charged with the murder of the President and a Dallas police officer, J.D. Tippit.

• Jack Ruby: Born Jacob Rubenstein, Ruby was a Dallas nightclub owner with connections to the criminal underworld. He was known for his volatile temper and was deeply affected by Kennedy’s assassination.

The Shooting

• Location and Timing: Oswald was being transferred from the city jail to the county jail. The transfer was highly publicized and broadcast live on television, drawing a large crowd of reporters and onlookers.

• The Act: As Oswald was led through the basement, Jack Ruby stepped forward from the crowd and fired a single shot from a .38 caliber revolver at close range, striking Oswald in the abdomen.

• Immediate Aftermath: Oswald was rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital, the same hospital where President Kennedy had been taken, but he was pronounced dead at 1:07 PM CST.

Consequences and Significance

• Public Reaction: The murder of Oswald was witnessed live by millions of Americans on television, adding to the shock and confusion surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy.

• Legal Proceedings: Ruby was arrested immediately and charged with murder. His trial began in February 1964, and he was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. However, his conviction was later overturned on appeal, and he died of cancer in 1967 before a new trial could be held.

• Conspiracy Theories: Oswald’s death fueled numerous conspiracy theories regarding the assassination of President Kennedy. Many speculated about Ruby’s motives and whether he was part of a larger conspiracy to silence Oswald.

• Warren Commission: In response to the assassination and subsequent events, President Lyndon B. Johnson established the Warren Commission to investigate Kennedy’s assassination. The Commission concluded that Oswald acted alone in killing Kennedy and that Ruby acted alone in killing Oswald.

Historical Impact

The assassination of Lee Harvey Oswald by Jack Ruby remains one of the most controversial and debated events in American history. It has been the subject of extensive investigation and speculation, contributing to the enduring mystery and intrigue surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy.