Photo of the Day

JFK’s warning.

It is November 21, 1963.

The last full day for President Kennedy.

It begins with a late morning flight from Washington to San Antonio for three days of meetings and speaking engagements.

Left: Kennedy in a California state park, Sept. 27, 1963. Right: Kennedy at the dedication of a California dam and reservior, Sept. 28, 1963.

The month before, Kennedy had traveled to nine western states, speaking about natural resources and conservation.

The western trip had also been an opportunity to test themes to be used in his 1964 reelection campaign — education, national security, and world peace.

Kennedy speaks at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Sept. 26, 1963.

The November trip to Texas is a continuation of groundwork laying for the ‘64 campaign.

Democrats there were engaged in a party squabble which Kennedy intended to end.

Stevenson, far left, is hit with a demonstrator's sign as the crowd jeers, Oct. 24, 1963.

He was undaunted by warnings that Dallas harbored political extremists, even though his UN ambassador, Adlai Stevenson, had been physically attacked there in October.

Connally drives President Johnson and Lady Bird during their visit to the Connally ranch in Texas. Connally managed five of Johnson's political campaigns.

Vice President Lyndon Johnson and Texas Governor John Connally met Kennedy upon his arrival in San Antonio.

Presidential motorcade in San Antonio, Nov. 21, 1963. Houston Chronicle photo.

While in San Antonio, Kennedy dedicated a medical research facility at Brooks Air Force Base.

Kennedy speaks at the dedication of the Aerospace Medical Health Center in San Antonio, Nov. 21, 1963.

Researchers there hoped to answer health questions posed by the fledgling US space program.

Left: Kennedy addresses the crowd at Brooks Air Force Base. Right: Mrs. Kennedy and VP Lyndon Johnson listen to Kennedy's address. Houston Chronicl photos.

Later, Kennedy flew to Houston.

Left: President and Mrs. Kennedy arrive at the Houston airport. Right: Mrs. Kennedy greets well-wishers, Nov. 21, 1963.

There he addressed a Hispanic civil rights organization,

President and Mrs. Kennedy greet guests at a Houston dinner sponsored by the League of United Latin American Citizens.

and attended a dinner for Texas Democrats.

Kennedy addresses Houston Democrats.

Kennedy then flew to Fort Worth to spend the night.

A big day was planned for Friday, November 22.

It began with a breakfast speech to the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

A crowd greets Kennedy at the parking lot of his Fort Worth hotel on the morning of Nov. 22, 1963.

Then, after a short flight to Dallas, Kennedy traveled by motorcade through the city’s downtown.

His destination was the Dallas Trade Mart, where he would speak to 2,500 luncheon guests.

Trade Mart luncheon guests, who had been awaiting Kennedy's arrival, learn of the shooting.

In his Trade Mart address, Kennedy intended to urge the country to reject leaders unguided by learning and reason who promise simple solutions to complex problems.

From his undelivered address:

Ignorance and misinformation can handicap the progress of a city or a company,

but they can, if allowed to prevail in foreign policy,

handicap this country's security.

In a world of complex and continuing problems,

in a world full of frustrations and irritations,

America's leadership must be guided by the lights of learning and reason

or else those who confuse rhetoric with reality

and the plausible with the possible

will gain the popular ascendancy

with their seemingly swift and simple solutions to every world problem.

Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Nov. 22, 1963. PBS News Hour photo.

And here we are.

******************************

I’ll see you tomorrow.

— Brenda