Riding Into History

On November 22, 1963, 4 people rode through Dealy Plaza in a black limosine, headed for a speech at the Dallas Trade Mart. One was John F. Kennedy, who was struck by rifle bullets in the upper back and skull. He died a little over an hour later at Parkland Hospital.

Another was John Connally, Governor of Texas, his chest torn open and wrist shattered. He barely survived, went on to serve as Treasury Secretary and run for President (I voted for him rather than Mr. Reagan), and passed away in 1993 -- maintaining to the end that he was not hit by any "magic bullet."

To the President's left was his graceful wife Jacqueline, who would iconically lead the nation in mourning at her husband's funeral. She married again, raised her children, and moved on with her life, finally succumbing to cancer in 1994.

The last person in the car died today -- Nelly Connally, unexpectedly, at the age of 87.