Lee Harvey Oswald (October 18, 1939 – November 24, 1963) was a former U.S. Marine who assassinated President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Oswald had a troubled upbringing, marked by frequent school changes and a lack of stable family support.
At 17, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he faced disciplinary issues, including two court-martials. After his discharge in 1959, Oswald defected to the Soviet Union but returned to the U.S. in 1962 with his Russian wife, Marina.
On the day of the assassination, Oswald fired three shots from the Texas School Book Depository, striking Kennedy twice. Approximately 45 minutes later, he shot and killed Dallas police officer J.D. Tippit. Oswald was arrested later that day and charged with both murders. Two days after his arrest, while being transferred to the county jail, Oswald was fatally shot by nightclub owner Jack Ruby, an event broadcast live on television.
The Warren Commission concluded that Oswald acted alone in assassinating Kennedy. However, this finding has been the subject of extensive debate and numerous conspiracy theories. Recent releases of classified documents have provided additional insights into Oswald’s activities, including his interactions with Soviet authorities and the intelligence community. For instance, a 1991 CIA memo detailed Oswald’s monitoring by the KGB, confirming he was never an agent.
Despite these revelations, many aspects of Oswald’s life and actions remain shrouded in mystery, continuing to fuel public fascination and debate.
For a more in-depth exploration of Lee Harvey Oswald’s life and the events surrounding the assassination, you might find the following documentary insightful: