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Nov 20, 2023 - Politics & Policy

In photos: JFK's last night in Houston

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President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (partially hidden at left) greet visitors upon their arrival at the Rice Hotel in Houston.

President John F. Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy (partially hidden at left) greet visitors upon their arrival at the Rice Hotel in Houston for a gala with the League of United Latin American Citizens. Photo: Cecil Stoughton. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

President John F. Kennedy was in Houston, Texas, during the last night of his life, speaking with Mexican American civil rights leaders and trying to unite fractured Democrats.

Through the lens: Kennedy's visit was historic since it was the first time in U.S. history that a sitting president acknowledged the growing Latino vote. These photos capture the moment hours before a national tragedy.

President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy exit Air Force One upon their arrival at Houston International Airport in Houston.
The Kennedys exit Air Force One upon their arrival at Houston International Airport in Houston. Photo: Cecil Stoughton. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Photo: Cecil Stoughton. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
President John F. Kennedy (far left, with back to camera) greets people in the crowd as First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (right) talks to an unidentified man at Houston International Airport in Houston.
The president (far left, with back to camera) greets people in the crowd as the first lady (right) talks to an unidentified man at Houston International Airport. Photo: Cecil Stoughton. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (partially hidden) arrive at the Rice Hotel in Houston.
The Kennedys (c) arrive at the Rice Hotel in Houston. Photo: Cecil Stoughton. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
President John F. Kennedy greeting people at a Houston LULAC banquet in the Rice Hotel.
President Kennedy greets Mexican American activists at a Houston LULAC banquet in the Rice Hotel. Photo: Alex Arroyos/John F. Kennedy Collection/Houston History Research Center/Houston Public Library
President Kennedy shakes hands with Mexican American activists at a LULAC gala at the Rice Hotel.
JFK with Mexican American activists at the banquet as El Trio Internacional plays "Kennedy, Kennedy," a song composed for the president for his 1962 visit to Mexico. Photo: Alex Arroyos/John F. Kennedy Collection/Houston History Research Center/Houston Public Library
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy greets El Trio Internacional musician Fernando Herrera in the Grand Ballroom of the Rice Hotel during a LULAC gala.
First lady Jacqueline Kennedy greets El Trio Internacional musician Fernando Herrera in the Grand Ballroom of the Rice Hotel during a LULAC gala. Photo: Cecil Stoughton/White House Photographs/John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy delivers remarks in Spanish during a gala held by the League of United Latin American Citizens at the Rice Hotel in Houston, on Nov. 21, 1963. President John F. Kennedy stands at right and is assassinated the next day in Dallas.
The first lady delivers remarks in Spanish beside President Kennedy during a gala held by the League of United Latin American Citizens at the Rice Hotel in Houston on Nov. 21, 1963. Photo: Cecil Stoughton/White House Photographs/John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy with Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson at Houston LULAC gala.
The president and first lady with Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and second lady Bird Johnson at Houston LULAC banquet as El Trio Internacional plays the song "Jacqueline." Photo: Alex Arroyos/John F. Kennedy Collection/Houston History Research Center/Houston Public Library
President John F. Kennedy delivers remarks at a dinner in honor of U.S. Rep. Albert Thomas (D-Texas) at the Houston Coliseum in Houston.
President Kennedy delivers remarks at a dinner in honor of U.S. Rep. Albert Thomas (D-Texas) at the Houston Coliseum in Houston. It was one of his last speeches before going to Dallas. Photo: Cecil Stoughton/White House Photographs/John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
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