Lee Harvey Oswald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lee Harvey Oswald
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Oswald when he served in the US Marine Corps
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| Born | October 18, 1939 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
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| Died | November 24, 1963 (aged 24) |
| Cause of death | Murdered by Jack Ruby |
| Resting place | Rose Hill Cemetery Fort Worth, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Alek J. Hidell O. H. Lee |
| Spouse(s) | Marina Prusakova (m. 1961–1963, his death) |
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Lee Harvey Oswald (born October 18, 1939 – died November 24, 1963) was an American man. He is known for being the person who shot and killed U.S. President John F. Kennedy. This happened in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963.
Oswald was a former U.S. Marine. He had lived in the Soviet Union for almost three years. After President Kennedy was shot, Oswald was arrested. He was first arrested for shooting a police officer named J. D. Tippit. Officer Tippit was killed on a Dallas street shortly after Kennedy. Oswald was soon also suspected of killing President Kennedy.
After his arrest, Oswald spoke to reporters. He shouted, "I didn't shoot anybody!" He also said, "They've taken me in because I lived in the Soviet Union. I'm just a patsy!" A "patsy" is someone who is unfairly blamed for something someone else did. Later, a reporter asked him if he killed the President. Oswald replied, "No, I have not been charged with that." He said he first heard about it when reporters asked him. As he was led away, he was asked about his time in Russia and how he hurt his eye. Oswald said, "A policeman hit me."
Two days later, Oswald was being moved to the county jail. A nightclub owner named Jack Ruby shot him. This happened live on television, and Oswald was badly wounded. He died soon after.
Contents
Investigations into President Kennedy's Death
In 1964, a group called the Warren Commission studied the assassination. They concluded that Oswald acted alone in killing President Kennedy. The FBI and Dallas Police had reached the same conclusion earlier.
In 1979, another group, the United States House of Representatives Select Committee on Assassinations, also agreed that Oswald killed Kennedy. However, they also thought that Kennedy's death was probably part of a conspiracy. A conspiracy is a secret plan made by a group of people to do something harmful. The committee did not identify who else might have been involved in this possible conspiracy.
Oswald's Early Life and Family
Lee Harvey Oswald was born in New Orleans. His father died two months before he was born. His mother moved him and his two brothers to many different towns. She also married a third husband for three years.
Oswald went to 12 different schools. These schools were in places like Fort Worth, New York City, and New Orleans. He dropped out of the 10th grade when he was 16 years old. After that, he worked as an office clerk and messenger.
In July 1956, Oswald moved back to Texas. He started 10th grade again in Fort Worth. But he quit school again at age 17, in October. He then joined the U.S. Marines. His brother Robert had also joined the Marines. Their half-brother, John Pic, joined the U.S. Coast Guard.
In 1959, Oswald left the Marines early because of his mother's health. He then went to the Soviet Union and stayed there for almost three years. While there, he married Marina, whose father worked for Soviet security. In June 1962, Oswald, Marina, and their daughter moved back to the U.S.
They settled in Dallas with his mother and brother Robert. Oswald worked at a welding company for three months. Then he worked at a printing shop from October until April 1963, when he was fired.
Oswald was later suspected of trying to shoot General Edwin Walker on April 10. He supposedly used a rifle and handgun he bought by mail in March. Oswald and Marina quickly moved to New Orleans in April. But Marina returned to Dallas in late September 1963. Oswald traveled to Mexico with plans to go to Cuba and the USSR, but these plans failed.
Instead, he returned to Dallas. He began working at the Texas School Book Depository on October 16, 1963. This was one month before President Kennedy and Officer Tippit were shot. The FBI was investigating Marina to see if she was a Soviet spy.
Lee Harvey Oswald died on November 24, 1963. He was shot by Jack Ruby. He left behind his wife Marina, his two-year-old daughter June, and his one-month-old daughter Rachel.
Images for kids
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Apartment building where Oswald lived in Minsk
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Oswald's $29.95 second-hand Carcano rifle in the U.S. National Archives
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Oswald rented an apartment in this building in Uptown New Orleans c. May–September 1963.
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Oswald passing out "Fair Play for Cuba" leaflets in New Orleans, August 16, 1963
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Oswaldneworleans.jpg
Oswald's mugshot following his arrest for disturbing the peace in New Orleans, August 9, 1963
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Oswald's replacement gravestone
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Image CE 133-A, one of three known "backyard photos". Oswald sent this image (as a first-generation copy) to George de Mohrenschildt in April 1963.
See also
In Spanish: Lee Harvey Oswald para niños
