Today marks the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, one of the most traumatic events in American history.
Anyone who was alive on that day and was older than a toddler remembers where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news.
The Kennedy assassination has been called a day in which the United States lost its innocence as the American public watched the events of the killing of their President unfold on television for the first time.
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20131122/OPINION02/311220030/Letters-Readers-salute-fallen-President-John-F-Kennedy-verse
Timestamp 45:00
So sad when they are carrying his casket down the Capitol’s steps as they play:
Incredibly sad.
JFK Funeral:
This photo gallery of iconic images is so impressive, SG2.
It’s such a shame that for the bulk of JFK’s life, his assasination will be more remembered any of his legislative achievements.
I was 8 years old when he was killed. I just remember how the elders in my family and teachers reacted. He definitely was considered an integral part of family.
A very poignant and moving selection of photos in this post, SG2. I think that Jackie’s pink suit with the navy blue collar is the most memorable piece of clothing from the 20th century, mostly because she continued wearing it with JFK’s blood on it so that the nation would see what happened to him.
I was in class at a Catholic grammar school when JFK was shot. I remember that the school principal came into our room and told us that the president had been shot. We kneeled on the floor and began to say the rosary for him. But just a few minutes later the principal came back into the room to tell us the president was dead. We were all crying but continued to pray. We were just little kids but we knew that JFK was the first Catholic president, so he was really special to us.
I also remember how everyone was glued to their television sets that weekend. I remember when Oswald was shot and I also remember the funeral. Everyone talked about Jackie’s composure, how she got through this with such grace and dignity.
“For one shining moment…” That was a sad time in this country.
Liza,
I didn’t know Jackie continued to wear the suit. Thanks for sharing. I remember my parents saying they didn’t even want to celebrate Thanksgiving. After hearing the news of JFK’s death, my mother broke down and wailed in public. Everyone around them was crying. My dad said he had to go put her in the car. Their hearts were broken!
My father died in April of 1963 so he was already gone by the time JFK was assasinated. If my father had lived, JFK’s assasination would have been devastating for him. My father was a relatively recent convert to Catholicism, I think he had grown up Baptist. But when he became a Catholic it was a really big deal for him and all the Catholics we knew were huge fans of JFK.
There was so much hope for so many people because JFK had been elected to the presidency. Then, in an instant, he was gone. No one knew very much about LBJ, except maybe the people in Texas, so there was all of this uncertainty about what happens next. A lot of folks felt the same way as your parents.
My parents loved loved JFK and they said his death felt like a death in your own family.
Liza,
My parents didn’t care for LBJ at all. They didn’t trust him.
Yeah, he was kind of a hayseed compared to JFK, part of that good ol’ southern boy network. Then, in the end, he has the dual legacy as a strong advocate for civil rights and social justice but also escalating the war in Vietnam.
What did your parents think of LBJ after his presidency was over?
conspiracy.
Oh, wow, that is interesting. My first father-in-law said the same thing. I have always leaned more toward the Mafia than other possibilities, but I just wish we could know with absolute certainty in my lifetime.
How can some misfit hoodlum plan and shoot the President? And then have another hoodlum just walk up in a police station while hoodlum number 1 is in custody and silence him forever and we’re told they all acted alone?
Liza, they went to their grave believing it.
Yeah, there is so much wrong with the LHO acted alone theory, but the majority of people believed it at the time. The information that people had access to back then was just so limited. Jack Ruby raised antennas, but it would be awhile before most people came around to the idea that there was much, much more to this. Folks in Texas knew more than most, I’m sure of that, they were closer to some of the players.
Yahtc,
You’re so wonderful. Thank you so much!
You are very welcome.
May God bless and watch over Caroline.
AMEN!
Thank you for this beautiful memorial page, Sg2.
My pleasure!
My parents were so hurt at hearing the news of JFK’s assassination. It was a sad sad day.