Today in History: John F. Kennedy Assassinated
Today in History–November 22–the Library of Congress features John F. Kennedy, assassinated on this day in 1963. Find out more about this tragic day in our nation’s history by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more resources and individual primary sources related to the 35th president of the United States.
Primary sources
- Letter, John F. Kennedy to Clare Boothe Luce thanking the congresswoman for a good luck coin, 29 September 1942
- Documents and images from John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inauguration
- Robert Frost’s poem Dedication written for Kennedy’s 1961 inauguration, but never read
- Kennedy Birthday Birthday song written for President John F. Kennedy, lyrics by Sylvia Fine
- President Rómulo Betancourt of Venezuela and First Lady Carmen Valverde de Betancourt greet President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy 1961
- John F. Kennedy historical newspaper coverage
- President Kennedy historical newspaper coverage
- Letter from Sam Bernstein to John F Kennedy, January 24, 1962
- John A. Morsell to President John F. Kennedy requesting assistance of federal government in the case of James Meredith
- Telegram Kennedy sent to Churchill
- Translation of letter from Nikita Khrushchev to John F. Kennedy 24 October 1962
- Selection of John F. Kennedy quotes
- John F. Kennedy eulogy November 24, 1963
- John F. Kennedy image set
- Political cartoons related to John F. Kennedy by Herb Block (curator notes)
- “It’s all right to seat them. They’re not Americans” April 27, 1961
- “I help to support the establishments I have mentioned; they cost enough, and those who are badly off must go there” A Christmas Carol, November 29, 1961
- “Why Don’t We Have the Thrifty Budgets of Ben Franklin’s Day?” January 18, 1963
- “What do they expect us to do–listen to the kids pray at home?” June 18, 1963
- “After All, These Men Are Mortal—And Who Will I Be Dealing With After They’re All Gone?” June 28, 1963
- Figure representing Diem-Nhu regime running away from Vietnam War fire November 4, 1963
- “With A Good Conscience Our Only Sure Reward, with History the Final Judge of Our Deeds, Let Us Go Forth to Lead the Land We Love. . . ,” November 23, 1963
- “I Still Can’t Believe It” November 24, 1963
- “Long Shadow” November 25, 1963
- “Sportsmen! Kids! Maniacs!“ November 27, 1963
- Congressman at desk reading memo, “Let us continue,” L.B.J. November 28, 1963
- Recollections related to the John F. Kennedy assassination from the Foreign Affairs Oral History Collection
- More Oral histories mentioning John F. Kennedy from the Foreign Affairs Oral History Collection
- “The only thing you could hear was people crying.” JFK’s funeral remembered in oral history, U.S. House History
- Report of the President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
- Modern-day legislation related to John F. Kennedy assassination
Stories from America’s Library
- The Great Debates of Nixon and Kennedy, October 21, 1960
- Robert Frost Reads Poem at JFK’s Inauguration, January 20, 1961
- Jack Ruby Shot Accused-Kennedy-Assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, November 24, 1963
Library of Congress blog posts
- Death of a President Library of Congress, July 31, 2013
- First Drafts: Poem for a President Library of Congress, January 29, 2013
- From Analog to Digital: A Changing Picture of the Kennedy Assassination The Signal, November 22, 2013
- The Sound of Drums Library of Congress, November 22, 2013
- Soviet Law and the Assassination of JFK In Custodia Legis, November 22, 2013
More secondary sources
- “A Time to Act: John F. Kennedy’s Big Speech” Library of Congress YouTube channel
- Today in History: Lieutenant John F. Kennedy
- American Memory Timeline: The Presidential Election of 1960
- Overview of Cuban Missile Crisis
- Retreat from Armageddon? Khrushchev, Kennedy, Johnson and the Elusive Quest for Peace (webcast)
- John F. Kennedy’s birthplace : a presidential home in history and memory : a historic resource study
Related resources
- Today in History: Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
- Today in History: Ruby Shoots Oswald
- Primary Source Spotlight: Robert Frost
- U.S. President primary sources & teaching resources
Resources outside the Library