Business Spotlight: John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza

At 12:30 pm local time on November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was shot while traveling in a motorcade through downtown Dallas. Today, visitors flock to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza to pay their respects to the former president, making it one of the most popular things to do in Dallas. Here is what you need to know about this plaza.

Importance of Plaza to Historic Part of Dallas: With a mission to chronicle both the death and legacy of President Kennedy, there is no doubt that this is one of the most historic areas of Dallas. The Kennedy Memorial Plaza is just one part of the area that also includes the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, a short stroll from the monument. Visitors can also stop by the Sixth Floor Museum to remember and reflect on the assassination. It is here where Lee Harvey Oswald shot the president as he was traveling in his motorcade down on the street below. Numerous exhibits and perspectives work to offer a comprehensive overview of the events of the day.

History of the Kennedy Memorial Plaza: The John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza was dedicated to the public on June 24, 1970. Since that date, the plaza has attracted millions of visitors looking to remember the date that the president was shot and killed. The plaza is now a significant part of the city of Dallas and its place in history.

About the Plaza: You will find the plaza between Main and Commerce streets, located just one block to the east of where Kennedy was shot when riding through Dealey Plaza. Kennedy Plaza was designed by American architect Philip Johnson. According to Johnson, the open tomb cenotaph design represents the free spirit that Kennedy embodied throughout his life.

The square roofless room soars 30 feet into the sky and measures 50 by 50 feet. The structure is positioned in the middle of the block. The construction consists of 72 white concrete columns that appear to float above the ground. Eight of the columns are anchored to the ground, holding up the remaining columns and helping to provide the floating element of this stunning piece of architecture.

Inside the Structure: When stepping into the roofless structure, visitors will immediately notice the name John Fitzgerald Kennedy carved in gold. This color works to capture and reflect the light that comes from the white columns. The president's name is the only word inscribed in this empty room. While some visitors do not understand the bareness of the plaza and its empty room, the simplicity is designed to offer a quiet place of reflection without the clutter of extraneous exhibits.

A trip to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza is the ideal complement to a visit to Dealey Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum. Every American should prioritize a trip to this iconic monument to the 35th president of the United States.