I think you unintentionally hit upon something profound. Things were never the same again, and the country has slowly turned to schit in the 59 years since.
It also set off a serious gun control effort when it came out that Oswald had used a mail order gun. They soon put a stop to that along with numerous other restrictions. They've never quit piling it on.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
