Governor Connally Speaks about President Kennedy’s Assassination, Part II (1965)

Duration: 26:12:00

Year Published: 1965

Format: 16mm

Sound: sound

Description: This interview footage captures scenes of Texas Governor John Connallly speaking about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and his experience following the tragedy. Governor Connally first gives a very detailed account of the days and hours leading up to the motorcade’s trip through Dealey Plaza, then he describes being shot, awaking at the hospital, and learning of the President’s death. He then goes on to discuss life after the event--his and Nellie’s new reaction to the sound of gunshot, how often he reflects on the event, and receiving letters from citizens lashing out at him and at the city of Dallas. Connally emphasizes that he agreed to the interview reluctantly, that President Kennedy’s assassination should no longer be a news item to be talked about publicly but a piece of history to be considered with proper perspective. He also explains his new take on life that time is fleeting and he wishes to not spend any of his remaining time on things of an inconsequential nature, rather on “labors of lasting import.”