Caroline's Donation of Jackie's Pink Suit

Gift of Historical Materials Relating to Jacqueline B. Kennedy to The National Archives and Records Administration:

1. The family of the late President John F. Kennedy and Mrs. Jacqueline B. Kennedy desires that the Materials referred to in paragraph 2 and described in Appendix A, attached hereto, should be deposited, safeguarded, and preserved in the National Archives of the United States as materials of historical importance. The family further desires to ensure that the Materials never be subject to public display, research, or any other use that would in any way dishonor the memory of Mrs. Kennedy or President Kennedy, or cause any grief or suffering to members of their family.

2. In accordance with the provisions of chapter 21 of title 44, United States Code, and subject to the terms, conditions, and restrictions hereinafter set forth, I, Caroline Kennedy (hereinafter referred to as the Donor), hereby give, donate, and convey to the United States of America, for deposit in the National Archives of the United States, the clothing and related historical materials (hereinafter referred to as the Materials) that are described in Appendix A, attached hereto.

3. The donor warrants that, immediately prior to the execution of the deed of gift, she possessed title to and all rights and interests in the Materials.

4. Title to the Materials shall pass to the United States of America immediately upon execution of this deed of gift.

5. Upon execution of this deed, the Materials shall be maintained by the United States of America in the National Archives Building in College Park, Maryland, administered by the National Archives and Records Administration in accordance with the pertinent provisions of title 44, United States Code, and provided that at any time after execution the Donor shall be permitted freely to examine any of the Materials during the regular working hours of the depository where they are preserved.

6. Access to the Materials identified in Appendix A shall be restricted in accordance with this paragraph for one hundred (100) years from the date of the execution of this deed of gift, after which time the Archivist of the United States (hereinafter referred to as the Archivist) shall exercise his or her discretion in the handling of the Materials in a manner that takes into account the concerns of the Kennedy family described in paragraph I These restrictions also apply to any photographs of the Materials.

a. None of the Materials shall be placed on public display for any reason whatsoever. 

b. There shall be no access to the Materials for research or scholarly purposes.

c. Access may be provided only to persons authorized to act for a Committee of Congress, for a Presidential committee or commission, or for any other official agency of the United States Government, having authority to investigate matters relating to the death of President John F. Kennedy, for purposes within the investigative jurisdiction of such committee, commission, or agency.

7. Subject to the restrictions imposed herein, the Archivist may dispose of any of the Materials that he or she determines to have no permanent or historical value, provided that prior to any such disposal reasonable efforts are made to notify the Donor and offer return of the Materials.

a. The Archivist may, subject only to restrictions placed upon him by law or regulation, provide for the preservation, arrangement, repair and rehabilitation, and servicing of the Materials as may be needed or appropriate.

8. The Donor hereby gives and assigns to the United States of America all copyrights which she has in the Materials being donated.

Signed: Caroline Kennedy

Date: July 29, 2003

Pursuant to the authority of chapter 21 of title 44, United States Code, the foregoing gift of the historical Materials of the Donor is determined to be in the public interest and is accepted on behalf of the United States of America, subject to the terms, conditions, and restrictions set forth herein.

Signed: Archivist of the United States

Date: August 13, 2003

Appendix A

Clothing and personal effects of Jacqueline B. Kennedy worn on November 22, 1963:

1. Pink Chane! Suit - Jacket

2. Pink Chane! Suit - Skirt

3. Blue Blouse

4. Pair of Stockings, wrapped in a white towel

5. Pair of Blue Shoes

6. Blue Purse

7. Portion of Cardboard Box in which materials were delivered to the National Archives; shows address to Mrs. John F. Kennedy, The White House

8. Stationery of "Mrs. Hugh D. Auchincloss, 3044 0 Street, N.W., Washington 7, D.C.," with handwritten note: "Jackie's suit and bag- worn November 22, 1963"

Source: National Archives and Records Administration

Jackie's Warren Commission Testimony

June 5, 1964

The President's Commission met, at 4:20 p.m., on Friday, June 5, 1964, at 3017 N Street NW, Washington, D.C.

Present was Chief Justice Earl Warren, Chairman.

Also present were J. Lee Rankin, general counsel; and Robert F. Kennedy, Attorney General of the United States.SELECTION/SELECTION

The CHAIRMAN. The Commission will be in order.

Mrs. Kennedy, the Commission would just like to have you say in your own words, in your own way, what happened at the time of the assassination of the President. Mr. Rankin will ask you a few questions, just from the time you left the airport until the time you started for the hospital. And we want it to be brief. We want it to be in your own words and want you to say anything that you feel is appropriate to that occasion.

Would you be sworn, please, Mrs. Kennedy?

Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you give before the Commission will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? 

Mrs. KENNEDY. I do.

The CHAIRMAN. Would you be seated.

Mr. RANKIN. State your name for the record.

Mrs. KENNEDY. Jacqueline Kennedy.

Mr. RANKIN. And you are the widow of the former President Kennedy?

Mrs. KENNEDY. That is right.

Mr. RANKIN. You live here in Washington?

Mrs. KENNEDY. Yes.

Mr. RANKIN. Can you go back to the time that you came to Love Field on November 22 and describe what happened there after you landed in the plane?

Mrs. KENNEDY. We got off the plane. The then Vice President and Mrs. Johnson were there. They gave us flowers. And then the car was waiting, but there was a big crowd there, all yelling, with banners and everything. And we went to shake hands with them. It was a very hot day. And you went all along a long line. I tried to stay close to my husband and lots of times you get pushed away, you know, people leaning over and pulling your hand. They were very friendly.

And, finally, I don't know how we got back to the car. I think Congressman Thomas somehow was helping me. There was lots of confusion. 

Mr. RANKIN. Then you did get into the car. And you sat on the left side of the car, did you, and your husband on your right?

Mrs. KENNEDY. Yes.

Mr. RANKIN. And was Mrs. Connally----

Mrs. KENNEDY. In front of me.

Mr. RANKIN. And Governor Connally to your right in the jump seat?

Mrs. KENNEDY. Yes.

Mr. RANKIN. And Mrs. Connally was in the jump seat?

Mrs. KENNEDY. Yes.

Mr. RANKIN. And then did you start off on the parade route?

Mrs. KENNEDY. Yes.

Mr. RANKIN. And were there many people along the route that you waved to?

Mrs. KENNEDY. Yes. It was rather scattered going in. Once there was a crowd of people with a sign saying something like "President Kennedy, please get out and shake our hands, our neighbors said you wouldn't."

Mr. RANKIN. Did you?

Mrs. KENNEDY. And he stopped and got out. That was, you know, like a little suburb and there were not many crowds. But then the crowds got bigger as you went in.

Mr. RANKIN. As you got into the main street of Dallas were there very large crowds on all the streets?

Mrs. KENNEDY. Yes.

Mr. RANKIN. And you waved to them and proceeded down the street with the motorcade?

Mrs. KENNEDY. Yes. And in the motorcade, you know, I usually would be waving mostly to the left side and he was waving mostly to the right, which is one reason you are not looking at each other very much. And it was terribly hot. Just blinding all of us. 

Mr. RANKIN. Now, do you remember as you turned off of the main street onto Houston Street?

Mrs. KENNEDY. I don't know the name of the street.

Mr. RANKin. That is that one block before you get to the Depository Building. 

Mrs. KENNEDY. Well, I remember whenever it was, Mrs. Connally said, "We will soon be there." We could see a tunnel in front of us. Everything was really slow then. And I remember thinking it would be so cool under that tunnel.

Mr. RANKIN. And then do you remember as you turned off of Houston onto Elm right by the Depository Building?

Mrs. KENNEDY. Well, I don't know the names of the streets, but I suppose right by the Depository is what you are talking about?

Mr. RANKIN. Yes; that is the street that sort of curves as you go down under the underpass.

Mr. KENNEDY. Yes; well, that is when she said to President Kennedy, "You certainly can't say that the people of Dallas haven't given you a nice welcome.

Mr. RANKIN. What did he say?

Mrs. KENNEDY. I think he said-I don't know if I remember it or I have read it, "No, you certainly can't," or something. And you know then the car was very slow and there weren't very many people around. 

And then--do you want me to tell you what happened?

Mr. RANKIN. Yes; if you would, please.

Mrs. KENNEDY. You know, there is always noise in a motorcade and there are always motorcycles, besides us, a lot of them backfiring. So I was looking to the left. I guess there was a noise, but it didn't seem like any different noise really because there is so much noise, motorcycles and things. But then suddenly Governor Connally was yelling, "Oh, no, no, no."

Mr. RANKIN. Did he turn toward you?

Mrs. KENNEDY. No; I was looking this way, to the left, and I heard these terrible noises. You know. And my husband never made any sound. So I turned to the right. And all I remember is seeing my husband, he had this sort of quizzical look on his face, and his hand was up, it must have been his left hand. And just as I turned and looked at him, I could see a piece of his skull and I remember it was flesh colored. I remember thinking he just looked as if he had a slight headache. And I just remember seeing that. No blood or anything.

Deleted section released later...

I was trying to hold his hair on. From the front there was nothing -- I suppose there must have been. But from the back you could see, you know, you were trying to hold his hair on, and his skull on. .... I could see a piece of his skull sort of wedge-shaped, like that, and I remember that it was flesh colored with little ridges at the top. And then he sort of did this [indicating], put his hand to his forehead and fell in my lap.

Testimony resumes

And then I just remember falling on him and saying, "Oh, no, no, no," I mean, "Oh, my God, they have shot my husband." And "I love you, Jack," I remember I was shouting. And just being down in the car with his head in my lap. And it just seemed an eternity.

You know, then, there were pictures later on of me climbing out the back. But I don't remember that at all.

Mr. RANKIN. Do you remember Mr. Hill coming to try to help on the car?

Mrs. KENNEDY. I don't remember anything. I was just down like that. And finally I remember a voice behind me, or something, and then I remember the people in the front seat, or somebody, finally knew something was wrong, and a voice yelling, which must have been Mr. Hill, "Get to the hospital,"or maybe it was Mr. Kellerman, in the front seat. But someone yelling. I was just down and holding him. [Reference to wounds deleted.]

Mr. RANKIN. Do you have any recollection of whether there were one or more shots?

Mrs. KENNEDY. Well, there must have been two because the one that made me turn around was Governor Connally yelling. And it used to confuse me because first I remembered there were three and I used to think my husband didn't make any sound when he was shot. And Governor Connally screamed. And then I read the other day that it was the same shot that hit them both. But I used to think if I only had been looking to the right I would have seen the first shot hit him, then I could have pulled him down, and then the second shot would not have hit him. But I heard Governor Connally yelling and that made me turn around, and as I turned to the right my husband was doing this [indicating with hand at neck]. He was receiving a bullet. And those are the only two I remember.

And I read there was a third shot. But I don't know. Just those two.

Mr. RANKIN. Do you have any recollection generally of the speed that you were going, not any precise amount.

Mrs. KENNEDY. We were really slowing turning the corner. And there were very few people.

Mr. RANKIN. And did you stop at any time after the shots, or proceed about the same way?

Mrs. KENNEDY. I don't know, because--I don't think we stopped. But there was such confusion. And I was down in the car and everyone was yelling to get to the hospital and you could hear them on the radio, and then suddenly I remember a sensation of enormous speed, which must have been when we took off.

Mr. RANKIN. And then from there you proceeded as rapidly as possible to the hospital, is that right?

Mrs. KENNEDY. Yes.

Mr. RANKIN. Do you recall anyone saying anything else during the time of the shooting?

Mrs. KENNEDY. No; there weren't any words. There was just Governor Connally's. And then I suppose Mrs. Connally was sort of crying and covering her husband. But I don't remember any words.

And there was a big windshield between--you know--I think. Isn't there?

Mr. RANKIN. Between the seats.

Mrs. KENNEDY. So you know, those poor men in the front, you couldn't hear them.

Mr. RANKIN. Can you think of anything more?

The CHAIRMAN. No; I think not. I think that is the story and that is what we came for.

We thank you very much, Mrs. Kennedy.

Mr. RANKIN. I would just like to ask if you recall Special Agent Kellerman saying anything to you as you came down the street after you turned that corner that you referred to.

Mrs. KENNEDY. You mean before the shots?

Mr. RANKIN. Yes.

Mrs. KENNEDY. Well, I don't, because you know, it is very hard for them to talk. But I do not remember, just as I don't recall climbing out on the back of the car.

Mr. RANKIN. Yes. You have told us what you remember about the entire period as far as you can recall, have you?

Mrs. KENNEDY. Yes.

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much, Mrs. Kennedy.

Whereupon, at 4:30 p.m., the President's Commission recessed.

Source: National Archives.

Folks Who Had the Pleasure of Working for Jackie

• Marie Amaral, 1040 maid
• Bernice Anderson, maid
• Letitia Baldrige, White House social secretary
• Billy Baldwin, interior designer
• Kennet Battelle, hairdresser
• Stéphane Boudin, interior designer
• Oleg Cassini, official White House era fashion designer
• Henry Du Pont, interior designer, art historian
• John Forger, personal lawyer
• Sanford Fox, White House, chief of entertainments office
• Mary Gallagher, personal secretary
• "Helene", Onassis maid
• Clint Hill, White House personal secret service agent
• Dr. Michael Hogan, plastic surgeon
• AnneMarie Huste, 1040 chef
• James Ketchum, White House curator
• Berthe Kimmerle, childhood nanny
• Marcia Jacobs, editorial assistant
• Hugh Newell Jacobsen, Red Gate Farm architect
• Anne Lincoln, White House chief housekeeper
• Evelyn Lincoln, JFK's personal secretary
• Hope Marinetti, editorial assistant
• Scott Moyers, editorial assistant
• Lee Nasso, accountant
• Pearl Nelson, cook (Georgetown and first three months at White House)
• Bertha Newey, childhood nanny
• John "Mugsy" O'Leary, Kennedy family chauffeur
• Providencia Paredes, personal assistant
• Sister Parish, interior designer
• Lorraine Pearce, White House curator
• I.M. Pei, architect of JFK library
• Efigenio Pinheiro,1040 butler
• Simon Hirsch Rifkind, lawyer (Gallela)
• Maude Shaw, children's nanny
• Becky Singleton, editorial assistant
• Marta Squbin, nanny, 1040 cook
• Bruce Tracy, editorial assistant
• Nancy Tuckerman, White House social secretary, private assistant
• Pamela Turnure, White House press secretary, private assistant
• Rene Verdon, White House chef
• Carl Warnecke, JFK grave architect
• Tillie Weitzner, yoga instructor
• William Vos Elder III, White House curator
• J.B. West, White House chief usher
• Rusty Young, White House chief floral designer

Notes: Jackie's bosses included Frank Waldrop at the Washington Times-Herald; Tom Guinzburg at Viking Press; and Sandy Richardson at Doubleday.

Research by Steven L. Brawley

Remarks/Statements Attributed to Jackie

• Miss Porter's school events (1940s)
• Presidential campaign rallies (1960)
• TV commercial in Spanish during Presidential campaign (1960): "My dear friends, I am the wife of Senator John F. Kennedy, candidate to the Presidency of the United States. In these times of danger when world peace is threatened by communism, it is necessary to have in the White House a leader who is capable of guiding our destiny with a firm hand. My husband will always watch over the interests of all sectors of our society who are in need of the protection of a humanitarian government. For the future of our children, and to achieve a world where true peace exists, vote for the Democratic Party on November 8. Long Live Kennedy!"
• Anniversary party for National Gallery of Art (March 16, 1961)
• White House luncheon for press women (April 11, 1961)
• Opening of annual Washington, DC flower market (May 5, 1961)
• International Horse Show (October 27, 1961)
• State visit to Venezuela (December 16, 1961)
• State visit to Columbia (December 17, 1961)
• Visit to India/Pakistan (March 1962): "I must say I am profoundly impressed by the reverence which you in Pakistan have for your art, and your culture and for the use which you make of it now. My own countrymen, too have a pride in their traditions. So I think, as I stand in these gardens, which were built long before my country was born, that that's one more thing that binds us together and always will."
• Christening of USS Lafayette (May 8, 1962)
• Opening of the refurbished White House Library (June 21, 1962)
• Opening of the refurbished White House Treaty Room (June 28, 1962)
• State visit to Mexico (June 30, 1962)
• Broadcast of sympathy after earthquake in Italy (August 23, 1962)
• Broadcast of event for the National Cultural Center (November 29, 1962): "Tonight seems to be at long last the beginning of what for so long has really been just a hope or a dream. I know there still is an enormous amount of work to be done before Mr. Stone's beautiful building rises beside the Potomac, but I hope that by this spring ground will be broken and they will start to build a wall of the center, for that will be a reward to all who have worked so hard for tonight, and it will be an encouragement to all of us who must keep on working until the center truly exists..."
• Cuban freedom fighters event (December 29, 1962): "It is an honor for me to be today with a group of the bravest men in the world, and to share in the joy that is felt by their families who, for so long, lived, hoping, praying, and waiting. I feel proud that my son has known the officers. He is still too young to realize what has happened here, but I will make it my business to tell him the story of your courage as he grows up. It is my wish and my hope that some day he may be a man at least half as brave as the members of Brigade 2506. Good luck."
• League of United Latin American Citizens event (November 21, 1963): “I’m happy to be in the great state of Texas and I’m especially pleased to be with you, who are part of the great Spanish tradition, which has contributed so much to Texas. This tradition began a hundred years before my husband’s state, Massachusetts, was settled, but it is a tradition that is today alive and vigorous. You are working for Texas and the United States. Thank you and viva las Lucas!”
• Thank you broadcast to nation (January 14, 1964): "I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the hundreds of thousands of messages, nearly eight hundred thousand in all, which my children and I have received over the past few weeks. The knowledge of the affection in which my husband was held by all of you has sustained me and the warmth of these tributes is something I shall never forget. Whenever I can bear to, I read them. All his bright light’s gone from the world. All of you who have written to me know how much we all loved him and that he returned that love in full measure. It is my greatest wish that all of these letters be acknowledged. They will be, but it will take a long time to do so. But I know you will understand. Each and every message is to be treasured not only for my children, but so that future generations will know how much our country and people in other nations thought of him. Your letters will be placed with his papers in the library to be erected in his memory along the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts. I hope that in years to come many of you and your children will be able to visit the Kennedy Library. It will be, we hope, not only a memorial to President Kennedy, but a living center of study of the times in which he lived and a center for young people and for scholars from all over the world. May I thank you again on behalf of my children and of the President’s family for the comfort that your letters have brought to us all. Thank you."
• Broadcast commemorating JFK's birthday (May 29, 1964)
• Fundraising video for JFK Library (Spring 1964)
• Comments regarding Kennedy Library site problems at Harvard (1966): "Well, I don't think that we should forget President Kennedy. And for all this effort that we've made for two and a half years. You know, is it just going to be forgotten? Or ended?  Or is some way going to be found to make it keep going, and sew the seeds he planted. You know, maybe it will be taken by a young boy who will be like he was at Harvard, in his day. After all, that's where he wrote 'While England Slept', after his research started. And maybe he'll plant a seed somewhere else. Then someone else like President Kennedy will come along. And those are the kind of men who are going to save the world."
• Press statement upon marriage to Aristotle Onassis (1968): "We know you understand that even though people may be well known they still hold in their hearts the emotions of a simple person for the moments that are the most important of those we know on earth — birth, marriage, death. We wish our wedding to be a private moment in the little chapel among the cypresses of Skorpios."
• Press statement upon death of Aristotle Onassis (1975): "Aristotle Onassis rescued me at a moment when my life was engulfed with shadows. He brought me into a world where one could find both happiness and love. We lived through many beautiful experiences together which cannot be forgotten, and for which I will be eternally grateful."
• Grand Central Terminal press conference (1975): "If we don’t care about our past we can’t have very much hope for our future. We’ve all heard that it's too late, or that it has to happen, that it's inevitable. But I don’t think that's true. Because I think if there is a great effort, even if it’s the eleventh hour, then you can succeed and I know that’s what we'll do."
• St. Bartholomew's Church rally (1984): "The future of New York City is bleak if the landmarks that mean so much to us and our children are stripped of their landmark status. If you cut people off from what nourishes them spiritually and historically, something within them dies.''