It was November 18th, 1963....50 years ago today that John F. Kennedy visited Tampa. It was a beautiful day with clear blue skies and mild temperatures when JFK electrified Tampa with his visit. School kids were given the day off from school so families could gather to see the President.
At 11:24 am Air Force One touched down at MacDill Air Force Base. Kennedy was flown by helicopter to speak at Al Lopez Field. Then he left for his ride through downtown Tampa. It would be the longest domestic motorcade of his Presidency.
He is riding in the same bubble top car that he would ride in Dallas four days later. Along the route he would ride down Lafayette St. which would later be renamed John F Kennedy Boulevard. It was Kennedy's request that no Secret Service agents ride on the back of the car because he wanted the people to see their President. He would tragically repeat that mistake four days later.
This statue stands on Kennedy Boulevard outside Plant Hall at the University of Tampa
Kennedy's trip to Tampa is remembered as a day of joy and optimism...Four days later that would all change
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