Assassination of John F. Kennedy President Kennedy as his motorcade continued down Elm Street. About 80% of the witnesses recalled hearing three shots. A minority of the witnesses recognized the first gunshot they heard as weapon fire, but there was hardly any reaction to the first shot from a majority of the people in the crowd or those riding in the motorcade. Many bystanders later said that they heard what they first thought to either be a firecracker or the backfire of one of the vehicles shortly after the President had begun waving. Although some close witnesses recalled seeing the limousine slow down, nearly stop,
Timeline of the John F. Kennedy assassination was issued US Passport DO 92526 which was valid for three years to all countries except Albania, Cuba and those portions of China, Korea and Vietnam that were under communist control. September 17, 1963: Jack Valenti sends an invitation to the White House asking if President Kennedy would attend an Appreciation Dinner in Houston on November 21, 1963 honoring Albert Thomas for his decision not to retire from Congress. The invitation is received at the White House on September 19, 1963. Lee Oswald is issued a 15 day Mexican tourist card using the name LEE, Harvey Oswald. September 20, 1963: