“Three Shots that Changed America: The JFK Assassination and Its Connections to Chicago” will be explored at Aurora University, 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28.
Brandon Kooi, professor of criminal justice, will be guest speaker in Crimi Auditorium at the Institute for Collaboration, 1347 Prairie St. in Aurora.
The public is invited.
Admission and parking are free.
Advance registration is required.
The event is part of a faculty speaker series included in AU’s 2022-2023 Celebrating Arts and Ideas cultural events lineup.
Kooi said, “The presentation will discuss JFK’s campaign trip to Aurora on Oct. 25, 1960, at the age of 43, and why many believe he could have been assassinated in Chicago Nov. 2, 1963 (on a planned trip, however, because of a tip, the trip was canceled when two shotgun assassination plots were discovered).
“Discussions related to Lee Harvey Oswald and varying investigations will be considered.
“Lessons from the Kennedy assassination will be linked to contemporary divisions and what students should consider within their own research.
“Our Nation lost its 35th president by assassination 59 years ago, Nov. 22, 1963.
“John F. Kennedy was in his third year as president and campaigning in Dallas for his reelection bid on that fateful day.
“In December 2021, the Biden administration released 1,491 assassination-related documents that were previously classified as confidential.
“By executive order, a final set of documents is supposed to be released by Dec. 15, 2022.
“Concerns remain that information in these documents could be harmful to military defense, intelligence operations, law enforcement and foreign relations.”
To register, or for information, call (630) 844-4924 or visit auartsandideas.com.
—Al Benson