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JFK’s last day in Fort Worth

Looking back at the last hours of the president’s life, 60 years later and see events you can honor him this week.

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President John F. Kennedy greets the crowd outside Hotel Texas on November 22, 1963.

On this day in 1963, President John F. Kennedy addressed Fort Worth before his assassination. Let’s look back at how he spent his last day in Cowtown.

On Thursday, Nov. 21, JFK and Jackie Kennedy touched down at Carswell Air Force Base late in the evening, greeting the 6,000 people gathered to welcome them. The president headed to Hotel Texas — now the Hilton Fort Worth — for his last night in Suite 850.

On Friday, Nov. 22 at 9 a.m., JFK stepped up on a temporary stage in the parking lot across from the hotel — where the JFK Tribute now stands — for an impromptu rally.

Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and Texas Governor John Connally joined him for the rainy remarks, the last time the president addressed the public. During his speech, JFK lauded locals, saying “There are no faint hearts in Fort Worth...”

The president then returned to the hotel for a breakfast speech for the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where Mrs. Kennedy debuted her iconic pink ensemble with her pillbox hat.

Afterwards, the president’s motorcade paraded through downtown, headed back to Carswell and Air Force One took off for Dallas Love Field at 11:25 a.m.

The following hours have been told and retold for 60 years, but Fort Worth will never forget the city’s role in the 35th US president’s last day.

Remember JFK with a stop at the downtown memorial or check out these other goings-on in Dallas:

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