LBJ Sworn in 43 Minutes After Kennedy Death

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

New research by a noted presidential historian and History Channel adviser suggests that the country was president-less for 43 minutes after John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Dissecting the details about the period between JFK's death and Lyndon Baines Johnson's taking the reins, Steven Gillon has found holes in the official version. In the upcoming The Kennedy Assassination — 24 Hours After: Lyndon B. Johnson's Pivotal First Day as President, Gillon says officials fudged the timing to soothe Jackie Kennedy's concern about whether last rites were administered before her husband died. He figures death occurred at 12:30 p.m., when the last bullet hit. LBJ wasn't officially notified until 1:13 p.m., thus the 43-minute gap.

View photos of Sen. Ted Kennedy.

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