President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a motorcade on November 22, 1963. The fatal shots were fired from behind the Texas School Book Depository building as the motorcade passed through Dealey Plaza. This verified account summarizes the established facts about the location, the sequence of events, and the enduring significance of the site in historical record and public memory.
Key Facts At A Glance
Essential Details In Brief
- City and state: Dallas, Texas
- Specific site: Dealey Plaza, along Elm Street
- Proximal building: Texas School Book Depository, southeast corner of Elm and Houston
- Date and local time: November 22, 1963, approximately 12:30 p.m. CST
- Vehicle location: Presidential limousine traveling west on Elm Street toward the Stemmons Freeway
Location Context: Dealey Plaza
Dealey Plaza is a public space in downtown Dallas created in the early 1940s as a municipal memorial. On November 22, 1963, it was the backdrop of a presidential motorcase proceeding westward along Elm Street. The plaza’s layout, including the street grade, nearby buildings, and traffic configuration, has been studied extensively to understand the trajectory of the shots and the movements of the motorcade.
Site Map Elements
Key fixed points at Dealey Plaza on the day of the assassination include the location of the president’s limousine at the moment of the first shot, the position of the Texas School Book Depository, and the nearby structures such as the Dal-Tex Building and the Dallas County Records Building. These landmarks have been documented in official reports, photographs, and diagrams used by investigators and researchers.
The Texas School Book Depository
The Texas School Book Depository, a seven‑story warehouse and office building, was the focal point of the investigation because witnesses reported seeing smoke or movement on the sixth floor, and physical and testimonial evidence subsequently pointed to the building as the origin of the shots. The southeastern corner of the building, which overlooks Elm Street, became the primary reference point for official reconstructions of the event.
Why This Building Mattered
- Elevation and angle: Its height and position allowed a direct line of sight onto the roadway where the limousine passed.
- Access points: The building had stairways and potential routes that were examined during the investigation.
- Physical evidence: Shell casings and other items linked to the sequence of shots were recovered from or near the building.
Sequence Of Events At The Site
As the motorcade approached the intersection of Elm and Houston, and then moved toward the Stemmons Freeway underpass, witnesses heard shots. The limousine was at a specific position in the roadway when the shooting occurred, and the route of the vehicle can be traced through eyewitness descriptions, photographs, and film. Law enforcement responded immediately, and the motorcade was diverted to Parkland Memorial Hospital, which was also close to the plaza.
Timeline Highlights
| Time (CST) | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 约 12:30 p.m. | First shots heard as limousine passes Dealey Plaza | Defines the temporal and spatial point of the attack |
| 12:33 p.m. | Motorcade accelerates toward Parkland Hospital | Immediate response and medical care en route |
| 12:38 p.m. | President pronounced dead at Parkland | Confirms fatality and triggers national protocols |
| 2:38 p.m. | Lyndon B. Johnson sworn in on Air Force One |
Investigations And Documentation
Multiple official inquiries, including the Warren Commission and later reviews, examined the site, evidence, and photographs. These investigations produced diagrams, maps, and photographic records that remain central to understanding the precise location of the assassination within Dealey Plaza. The relationship between the motorcade route, the building, and the shots has been the subject of extensive analysis and public records.
Key Source Types
- Photographs and films taken at the time, including images that show the limousine and the surrounding buildings.
- Law enforcement and investigative reports that document the sequence of observations and findings.
- Official diagrams that map the positions within Dealey Plaza and the trajectory of the bullets as concluded by investigators.
Legacy And Public Memory
The site in Dealey Plaza is preserved as a historical location marked by memorials, signage, and ongoing public interest. The question of where the assassination occurred is grounded in documented facts about the plaza, the depo building, and the route of the motorcade. These facts continue to support research, education, and reflection on the event’s impact on American history.
Points Of Reference For Researchers
- Official reports that describe the positions within Dealey Plaza with diagrams and maps.
- Archived photographs and film that capture the limousine at key locations.
- Consistent records from investigations that align on the primary location and circumstances.
The facts about where President Kennedy was assassinated are established through investigations, photographs, and documented testimony. The location is precisely identified as the vicinity of the Texas School Book Depository in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963.