The 22nd of November marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy (JFK).

Back in 1963 the then President of the United States was fatally gunned down whilst riding in an open-top limousine, as part of a motorcade through downtown Dallas.

The incident was a defining moment in American history, but continues to attract conspiracy theories to this day, regarding those responsible.  

Lee Harvey Oswald, was arrested for the crime, but was himself shot and killed while in police custody, before he could be charged.

JFK was just 46 years old at the time of his death and remains the youngest person ever elected President of the United States.

Current President Joe Biden described the moment his death was announced to the nation as one “carved into the country’s collective memory”. Paying tribute on the anniversary, he said the death had “awakened a generation”.

Conspiracy theories will never go away

It remains a major topic of discussion and conjecture, even though a high percentage of Americans were not even born when JFK’s life was callously ended 60 years ago, on the 22 November 1963.

The Mafia, the CIA and the Cubans have all at one time or another had the finger of blame pointed at them; but what never goes away is that most accept that although chief suspect Oswald may have been alone in the Texas School Book Depository building, from where the shots were fired, there had to be others involved.

The man on the grassy knoll is widely regarded as playing some part. Who stood to gain most from his death? Questions remain and are unlikely to ever go away.

Troubled presidency with highs and lows

Kennedy had a turbulent time in his curtailed term of office, dealing with the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, and the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as being behind high points such as the formation of the Peace Corps, and the signing of the 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty on nuclear weapons.

President Biden full of praise

 President Biden was glowing in his praise for one of his most famous predecessors when speaking on the anniversary. He said his assassination had “shocked the soul” of America, and that he had changed the way Americans saw themselves.

They had, he believed, become part of a “country full of youthful hopes and ambition”, steeled with the seasoned strength of a people who overcame profound loss by “turning pain into unyielding purpose.”

Recalling his own personal memory of the shocking event, President Biden said he was in college and had just left class, and he joined other students glued to the news in stunned silence.

Behind some of 20th century’s most important issues

Commending his actions of decades ago, Biden went on: “He set our nation’s compass firmly on many of the most consequential issues of the 20th century, from civil rights, to voting rights, to equal pay for women.”

Continuing, he pointed to JFK’s calm resolve through the most dangerous moments of the Cold War, and remarked that he inspired a nation to see public service as a calling. “At the dawn of a new decade, he called us forward to a new frontier, propelling us to the moon and beyond,” the President reminded everyone.

Remembered fondly

He finished by saying: “On this day, we remember that he saw a nation of light, not darkness; of honor, not grievance; a place where we are unwilling to postpone the work that he began and that we all must now carry forward.”

He added: “We remember the unfulfilled promise of his presidency – not only as a tragedy, but as an enduring call to action to each do all we can for our country.”

Wrapping up he called JFK courageous, with a heroic sense of duty, and also praised his family’s “capacity to absorb profound suffering.”

Nephew calls for release of classified documents

One of that family, his nephew Robert F Kennedy, also known by his initials as RFK Jr., or Bobby, who is running as an independent for the White House, questioned why some government documents were still classified. Legislation passed by the US Congress in 1992 mandated that all records relating to the assassination should be released by 2017.

The White House said 99 per cent of material from then had indeed been made publicly available. However, it is estimated that about 2,140 documents remain fully or partially withheld, while about 2,500 more have not been made available, as they fall under other restrictions such as seals imposed by courts, or grand jury secrecy rules.

“What is so embarrassing that they’re afraid to show the American public 60 years later?” Mr Kennedy asked.

The administration maintains that the remaining classified documents, or redacted elements of material relating to the Kennedy assassination, could be released on an ongoing basis when the reason for keeping them under wraps was no longer applicable.