Various historical events have shaped the city of Dallas. From assassinations to landmark rulings, some of the events that have taken place in this city may surprise you.
If you’re curious about the crazy events that have occurred in this Western city, check this out.
JFK Assassination
Over 50 years later, this city remains synonymous with one of the most contentious events in America’s history. The President’s assassination occurred in Dealey Plaza in Texas while traveling in a motorcade.
The event took place on November 22, 1963. A 10-month investigation concluded that Lee Oswald was responsible for the assassination.
Although the majority of the public supported the conclusions by the Warren Commission, polls revealed that approximately 80% of Americans suspected a cover-up.
Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were American robbers and outlaws from Dallas. The two met in 1930 in West Dallas and started their crime spree across Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana.
The criminal duo was reported to have killed numerous civilians and at least nine officers. The couple died in 1934 in Louisiana.
Although the couple wanted a side-by-side burial, the Parker family was against it. Their burial occurred in Dallas on May 23, 1934.
While Bonnie’s resting place is in Crown Hill Memorial Park, Clyde’s burial took place at Western Heights Cemetery.
Lee Oswald’s Death
According to several government investigations, Lee was responsible for John F. Kennedy’s assassination. He was a former United States Marine whose defection led him to the Soviet Union.
Initially, the police apprehended him for the murder of J. D. Tippit, a police officer, who died on Dallas Street approximately 45 minutes following Kennedy’s shooting. Later, the the government charged him with President Kennedy’s murder but Oswald denied his involvement and claimed that he was a scapegoat.
While being transferred to the county jail from police headquarters, Jack Ruby, a night club owner shot and mortally wounded Oswald. Television cameras broadcast the incident live. Oswald’s burial occurred on November 25 in Fort Worth.
First Female Mayor
The year 1987 marked the inauguration of Annette Strauss, Dallas’s first female mayor. Even though Adlene Harrison had won appointment as mayor in 1976, Annette became the first elected female mayor on April 18, 1987.
She served as mayor until 1992 after which she become a PR consultant. As mayor, Annette gained recognition for her capacity to build consensus across economic strata and political lines.
She remained active in philanthropic and social causes and frequently received honor for her work.
Protest March in Dallas
In 1973, a protest against the murder of Santos Rodriguez took place in Dallas. Rodriguez died while being questioned by Darell Cain, a police officer.
Darrell subsequently faced trial and conviction while the exoneration of Santos also occurred. However, the march sparked a riot during which widespread damage took place accompanied by 38 arrests.
The death of the 12-year old changed the city of Dallas considerably. Ultimately, it later stimulated change that resulted in political representation besides an increased number of Mexican-Americans on the police force.
Prior to this incident, it took decades to improve relations between the police and Latinos. However, the situation is different today. Santos’s murder helped drive transformation of Dallas Police Department.
For more information on crazy historical events that occurred in Dallas, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave a comment if you know of other events.
Image: JFK assassination