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JFK
President John F. Kennedy's assassination is an unforgettable part of Dallas' history.Nearly 54 years later, scholars and enthusiasts alike are still processing details from that fateful drive through Dealey Plaza now that the remaining investigation files have been unsealed. For the 50th anniversary in 2013, KERA produced special stories and reports from the commemoration:The 50th: Remembering John F. Kennedy was KERA's live, two-hour special covering the official commemoration event at Dealey Plaza in Dallas on Nov. 22, 2013. Hosted by Krys Boyd and Shelley Kofler, the special includes reports from KERA reporters before the ceremony begins. Listen to the special here.Bells tolled across the city, and the event featured historian David McCullough, who read from Kennedy’s presidential speeches; Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings; religious leaders; the U.S. Naval Academy Men’s Glee Club; and a moment of silence. Read highlights from the event from KERA's live blog from that day.Throughout the month, KERA posted an online series called 22 Days In November, which takes a closer look at that fateful day, what it meant to the country and how it affected Dallas.We shared stories and memories in a series called “JFK Voices.” Explore our archives below.

Symposium To Explore Dallas After JFK

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A daylong symposium this November will delve into how the assassination of John F. Kennedy changed the course of a city.

The Nov. 2 event, "Understanding Tragedy: The Impact of the JFK Assassination on Dallas," will feature a series of panel discussions headlined by U.S. Secret Service Director Julia Pierson, law professor Stephen Carter, journalists Jim Lehrer and Lee Cullum, and others.

The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture announced plans for the symposium on Tuesday. Partners include KERA, The Dallas Morning News, the University of North Texas Mayborn School of Journalism, the Ochberg Society for Trauma Journalism and the Sixth Floor Museum.

KERA-Channel 13 will televise an hourlong special on the symposium during the week of Nov. 22, the 50th anniversary of the assassination.

The Nov. 2 series of discussions will begin at 10 a.m. at the Southside Ballroom (formerly the Palladium) on South Lamar Street in Dallas. Tickets go on sale in September. For reservations or more information, call the institute at (214) 981-8803.

Rick Holter was KERA's vice president of news. He oversaw news coverage on all of KERA's platforms – radio, digital and television. Under his leadership, KERA News earned more than 200 local, regional and national awards, including the station's first two national Edward R. Murrow Awards. He and the KERA News staff were also part of NPR's Ebola-coverage team that won a George Foster Peabody Award, broadcasting's highest honor.