Historians to reflect on 50th anniversary of JFK assassination
LAWRENCE — On the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Department of History at the University of Kansas will host an event to reflect on the impact of the president’s death.
“The Kennedy Assassination: 50 Years Later” will feature discussion from several KU historians. The event will take place Friday, Nov. 22, at the Kansas City Public Library, 14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, Mo. A reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the faculty panel and a question-and-answer session.
“So much of the recent commemoration of Kennedy’s murder revolves around the cherished idea that the assassination put down the promise of Kennedy’s ‘Camelot’ in the White House,” said Jeffrey Moran, professor and chair of the history department. “But we need to move beyond the mythology to analyze carefully just what we as a nation lost that day in Dallas.”
The speakers will take a fresh look at the legacy of Kennedy and how his assassination affected America. Moran will chair the event. Topics will include:
- Kennedy and Vietnam - Professor Theodore Wilson
- Assassination Conspiracies - Professor Jeffrey Moran
- Lincoln, Kennedy and the Arc of History - Professor Jennifer Weber
- Kennedy’s Assassination in American Pop Culture - Professor Jonathan Hagel
On Nov. 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas during a presidential motorcade. The event threw the nation into shock and mourning, and it has made a lasting impact on American history. Fifty years later, this crisis continues to reverberate through the American consciousness.
The event is free and open to the public. Attendees may RSVP here or by calling 816-701-3401.
The Department of History is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which encourages learning without boundaries in its more than 50 departments, programs and centers. Through innovative research and teaching, the College emphasizes interdisciplinary education, global awareness and experiential learning. The College is KU's broadest, most diverse academic unit.