November 29
Johnson Establishes Warren Commission on JFK Assassination
One week after John F. Kennedy’s assassination, President Lyndon B. Johnson established a bipartisan commission under Chief Justice Earl Warren to investigate the killing and the murder of the accused assassin.
Summary
Just days after President John F. Kennedy's assassination in Dallas on November 22, 1963, public skepticism and conspiracy theories began circulating about the lone gunman narrative involving Lee Harvey Oswald. On November 29, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Executive Order 11130 creating the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, chaired by Chief Justice Earl Warren and including prominent figures like Allen Dulles and John McCloy. The bipartisan panel was tasked with investigating all facts and circumstances surrounding the assassination and the subsequent killing of Oswald. It conducted extensive interviews, reviewed evidence, and operated independently of ongoing criminal proceedings. The commission's work aimed to reassure the public and clarify events amid national mourning.
Context
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, in Dallas left the nation in shock and triggered immediate questions about the circumstances. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested shortly after the shooting and charged with the murder, yet his own killing by Jack Ruby two days later while in police custody deepened public unease and fueled early speculation about possible conspiracies or broader involvement.
What Happened
On November 29, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Executive Order 11130 creating the President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy. The seven-member panel was chaired by Chief Justice Earl Warren and included Senators Richard B. Russell and John Sherman Cooper, Representatives Hale Boggs and Gerald R. Ford, former CIA Director Allen W. Dulles, and John J. McCloy. Johnson directed the commission to examine all facts and circumstances surrounding both the assassination and Oswald’s subsequent death, drawing on evidence from federal and state authorities while operating independently of ongoing criminal proceedings.
Aftermath
The commission began its work in early December 1963, holding its first meeting on December 5 and later receiving formal subpoena authority from Congress. It reviewed thousands of documents, interviewed hundreds of witnesses, and coordinated with federal agencies before submitting its 888-page report to President Johnson on September 24, 1964.
Legacy
The Warren Commission’s conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, with no evidence of conspiracy, became the official account yet immediately sparked enduring debates and alternative theories that continue to shape American historical discourse. It established a model for subsequent high-profile government inquiries into political violence while highlighting challenges in maintaining public confidence in official findings.
Why It Matters
The Warren Commission produced the influential 1964 report concluding Oswald acted alone, though its findings sparked ongoing debates and alternative theories that persist in American culture and historiography. It set precedents for high-profile government investigations into political violence and influenced public trust in official narratives.
Related Questions
Why did President Johnson create the Warren Commission?
To provide an independent, high-level investigation into the assassination amid rising public doubts and to reassure the nation following the sudden transition of power.
Who were the main members of the Warren Commission?
Chief Justice Earl Warren chaired the panel, which also included Senators Richard Russell and John Sherman Cooper, Representatives Hale Boggs and Gerald Ford, Allen Dulles, and John McCloy.
What was the Warren Commission’s main conclusion?
The commission determined that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassinating President Kennedy and that Jack Ruby likewise acted alone in killing Oswald.
How long did the Warren Commission operate?
It was established on November 29, 1963, held its first meeting in December, and submitted its final report in September 1964.
Did the Warren Commission have legal powers to gather evidence?
Yes, Congress granted it subpoena authority in December 1963, allowing it to compel witnesses and obtain documents from federal and state sources.
Related Portfolio Site
Assassination Attempts: Johnson Establishes Warren Commission on JFK Assassination is a U.S. presidential assassination-attempt event.
Explore More
Related Events
Sources
- On This Day - What Happened on November 29, Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed 2026-07-07.
- What Happened on November 29, History.com. Accessed 2026-07-07.