Today is a very black and sad day in American History. With the death of a President came the end of an era. Not only was our President assassinated 50 years ago but our innocence was shattered. Those of us that were alive that fateful November day remember not only did the nation mourn with us but the world as well. John F. Kennedy left this world a better place because he was in it. So where were you 50 years ago when you heard the news?
Yolanda,
As you know I was in school and everyone was scared, shocked and some were crying. My dad as I said was so pissed he wanted to personally shoot Oswald and the rest of whoever develpoed this plan including Ruby after he was tortured to tell the truth!
I was not yet alive, but I remember being fascinated by a Time-Life book my mother had on the event. It was a coffee table book with a lot of photos. Even as a kid flipping through that book I would feel the heaviness of the event.
In November 1963, I was working at my very first job in a real estate and insurance company office. The place was open without walls, and housed approximately 30 desks. One side of the room were real estate sales people, and property managers, and on the other side, about 24 ft. away, where I worked, was the insurance department. What I remember so clearly was the property manager directly across from me, getting a stunned look on his face. He always had a little desk radio quietly going. He blurted out, "The President has been shot!" Quickly everyone in the office pulled chairs around his desk, and we listen to that awful day's events, as they unfolded.
1963 is the year I remember hearlded in so much change! We lost our innocence, and it was only the beginning of the path to where we find ourselves today!
50 years is a long time to remember specifics when you are getting old. I was a real estate broker with my own company and remember hearing the news at a model home.
The truth is I was 2 so I have no clue where I was. Debbie said she was in first grade and filled me in on all the details of her memories.
Yolanda, I was in New York. I'd just run away from home to study flute with my idol, and was at work. We all went into shock. I don't think anyone who was more than a toddler remembers what they were doing.
I was 11 years old and was sitting in my 5th grade class. My teacher Mrs. Sears cried as she told us that the president had been shot and died. I, an army brat knew about death by guns and was not stunned. Others clearly were. I think most of us were just a little nervous that we did not know what would happen next. but that something was coming.
Hi Yolanda,
I was just a little girl when he died and I lived on an Air Force Base so we couldn't leave the base for months and I remember how scared I was. They made all of our parents come and get us early and take us home. Everyone was crying including my teacher.The day of his funeral my base elementary school took it off as a holiday. I remember Jackie following the horse that was pulling the casket and it was so impacting to me. He was a great president and would have made our country so much better. I often wonder if we will ever know the truth.....probably not.
Yolanda
Great questions and very interesting responses above. I was in my 5th period social studies class at Washington Lee HS in Arlington, Va. After about 5 minutes of total silence, I was the the first person to say anything. I remember asking what does this mean to us? Amazing how many of age remember exactly what they were doing the moment they learned of this tragedy. cheers cvc
Yolanda,
Many comments on your post and this is always good. i hope you are havingan excellent day!
Yolanda, I was 15 and had just caught a ride with a friend. We were going down West Water Street in Port Huron, Michigan (my home town) when we heard the news. Amazing - I've never forgotten that moment!
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