An article in the June 7, 1988 Herald-Examiner published this photograph on the 20th anniversary of the death in 1968 of presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy. On the back of the photo it reads: "The victory party little dreams that within a half hour their entire world will come screaming to a halt. Only one man knows whether the face in the left center area of this picture is that of the killer. Only that same man knows the strange and terrible thoughts that were gnawing at his brain the moment this picture was taken. If this is Sirhan, it is the only time in history (as far as I know) that an assassin and his victim have been photographed together."; Photograph included in the Exhibit: King, the Kennedys, & Los Angeles. The massive 500-room Ambassador Hotel, designed by renowned architect Myron Hunt, opened for business in 1921 on the site of a former dairy farm. It occupied 23.7 acres at 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, bordered by 8th Street, Catalina Street, and nearly to Mariposa Avenue. The hotel served as the stomping grounds for a staggering list of Hollywood legends, heads of state, and an endless list of famous personalities from the 20th Century. It is said that as many as seven U.S. Presidents stayed at the Ambassador, from Hoover to Nixon, along with heads of state from around the world. A pivotal moment in world history happened in 1968, when Robert F. Kennedy was shot in a pantry off of the Embassy Room (and died 25 hours later), following his California Primary victory speech. The death of RFK coincided with the beginning of the hotel's demise. The Schine family had owned the Ambassador for about 50 years, until its doors were closed on January 3, 1989 after 68 years of service, selling for $64 million. The landmark hotel was eventually demolished between late 2005 and early 2006. Robert Kennedy addresses enthusiastic supporters in the ballroom of the Ambassador Hotel after winning the California presidential primary. A short time later, the New York Senator would be fatally gunned down in the hotel’s kitchen.
Kennedy, Robert F.,--1925-1968--Assassination Sirhan, Sirhan Bishara,--1944- Ambassador Hotel Political campaigns--California--Los Angeles Primaries--California Hotels--California--Los Angeles Crowds--California--Los Angeles Celebrations--California--Los Angeles Podiums--California--Los Angeles Balloon decorations--California--Los Angeles Ballrooms--California--Los Angeles Interiors--California--Los Angeles Lost architecture--California--Los Angeles Los Angeles Herald-Examiner photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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