What Happened On November 24th?
The Shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald (1963)
On November 24, 1963, just two days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, another shocking and pivotal moment occurred in the basement of the Dallas Police Headquarters. Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of President Kennedy, was shot and killed by Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner with ties to the criminal underworld.
On the morning of November 24, 1963, a televised event unfolded as Lee Harvey Oswald was being transferred from the Dallas Police Headquarters to the county jail. The police, attempting to avoid a large crowd at the front entrance, decided to move Oswald through the basement. As Oswald was being led through the basement by law enforcement officers, Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner, stepped forward and fired a single shot into Oswald’s abdomen. The entire incident was captured on live television, shocking viewers across the nation. Oswald was rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital, the same hospital where Kennedy had been pronounced dead, but he succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead at 1:07 p.m.
The Silent Killer: New York City Grappled with Smog’s Grip (1966)
On a devastating day, New York City found itself in the grip of a silent and deadly assailant: smog. What initially seemed like a typical Dayton day on November 24th in the bustling metropolis, things took a tragic turn as an atmospheric phenomenon trapped pollutants, leading to a dense and hazardous smog cloud. The consequences were severe, with approximately 400 people succumbing to respiratory failure and heart attacks. This tragic event underscored the pressing need for environmental awareness and paved the way for environmental regulations aimed at combating air pollution.
While legislative strides have been made to improve air quality, challenges persist in the face of urbanization, industrialization, and climate change. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and collective action to protect our environment and public health.
Air Force One, America’s First Presidential Airplane (1954)
On November 24, 1954, the United States entered a new era in presidential travel with the christening of Air Force One, the first official aircraft designated for the exclusive use of the President of the United States. This major incident shifted the way U.S. presidents would travel, enhancing both security and efficiency.
The Boeing 707 officially became Air Force One in a christening ceremony attended by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie. The event took place at National Airport (now Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) in Washington, D.C. The christening of the aircraft marked a symbolic affirmation of the president’s commitment to modernizing and streamlining the office’s operational capabilities.
