My son and I were talking today about his school work this week and I asked him how his teachers covered the death of President Kennedy in his history class. He told me that it was now just breifly covered. I explained to him how it was a major topic in my history classes and how my parents actually remembered exactly where they were and what they were doing when he died ( I was only three, but remember Blackjack and the caisson). Would some of you that recall this day in 1963 share it so that I can show him the type of impact that JFK had on our country. Thanks.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 22, 2000

Answers

I was operating an electronic assembly line in Greensboro NC. It was such a shock the company let us go home for the rest of the day with pay. I was 30 years old. Jay Central N.C.

-- jay vance (jay.l.vance@worldnet.att.net), November 22, 2000.

We had just turned on the tv to get the noon news. Walter Cronkite came on with the news that President Kennedy had been shot and was at a hospital in Dallas. Within the half hour he said that he had been pronounced dead. I don't believe that we even sat down to finish lunch. We were glued to the television for the rest of the day. We had two small children so I suppose that there were intermissions for diaper changing, childrens meals, naps, etc. The whole neighborhood was in shock and no one did anything but watch the tube in amazement.

-- Jean (kjean@i-rule.net), November 22, 2000.

We had 2 pre-school boys and I was a stay-at-home mom. This particular day my husband was also home, doing some remodeling. He was listening to the radio as he worked. As soon as he heard the news, we packed up the boys and went to my in-laws' to watch TV (we didn't have one). I can remember doing hardly anything except watch and listen to the news for the next several days.

-- ruth in s.e.Illinois (bobtravous@email.com), November 22, 2000.

I was in the eighth grade and we got out of school early. Other than that all I remember is that there was a big funeral. As a 13 year old boy I just didn't care, but they got me back in just a few years when I got my draft notice signed by another president. I'm very sure that he didn't care if I got shot either.

-- Don (hihilldon@yahoo.com), November 22, 2000.

I was a sophomore in high school in downtown Boston. An announcement came over the intercom that the football game scheduled for that week end would be cancelled..we all began to moan and groan and then the announcement continued that the REASON for the games' cancellation was that President Kennedy had been shot, along with Governor Connely of Texas...Five minutes later, they announced that the President was dead, everybody go home. It was a fifteen minute walk from the school to my house. We kids all walked in stunned silence, truly, nobody spoke a word. We watched grown men sitting along the curbs sobbing, storeowners were outside their shops, tears rolling down their faces, people were pulling their cars over anywhere they could and just sitting there crying. I have never seen so many adults struck with collective grief as I did that day. It was as if the entire world had come to a complete stop. Picture a few thousand people lining the city streets consumed with grief..it was both terrifying and mesmorizing for a teen-ager to see. At my home, my grandparents had the TV on, and we sat and watched it for four days, something never before allowed in our house. Black and white TV where I watched Lee Harvey Oswald murdered in front of the cameras, where we all cried horribly when little John saluted his father, and I watched my grandfather, a retired Navy man, stand, saluting, with huge tears streaming down his face as we heard the Navy Hymn being played. Oh yes, it had an impact alright....God bless.

-- Lesley (martchas@gateway.net), November 22, 2000.

I was floating around in a sack of amniotic fluid.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@calinet.com), November 22, 2000.

I was at home sick (from junior high). My mom came in to tell me to watch teevee with her. We were totally shocked. It took weeks to get over it. Even my dad, who hated Kennedy with a passion (he was Republican precinct leader for years, and active in the local political scene) was blown away and saddened (of course, he immediately blamed LBJ! Conspiracy theorists don't ever seem to go away!) Our lives really did change at that point in time. I have never felt the same about politics, or my country, or the safety I had felt before then. It cannot be explained to those who did not experience it.

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), November 22, 2000.

I was in the fourth grade. It was school lunch time and I had wandered into the classroom. Our teacher told us that the President had been shot. I remember one of my friends spent the rest of the day crying. He was very upset. We didn't do anymore class work. Instead, our principal went from class to class giving us a good civics lesson on what was now happening in our country's leadership. Our teacher kept checking with the office to find out the latest news. It was very shocking. Being farm kids, we were used to accidents but this was the first time our lives had been touched by purposeful violence. I remember my parents being very sad. They did not like JFK. My father knew him in WWII. But they did not like the fact that someone felt they could just kill our President. They were very upset about Connelly because they were friends with them during the Korean War when my father reactivated an Air Force Base in Texas. My grandmother babysat their kids and really liked them as well. I think alot of people forget that the Connelly family was never the same after that day either. I always felt that our whole country lost something kind of innocent after that day. But that could be because I did.

-- Cheryl (bramblecottage@hotmail.com), November 22, 2000.

I was a very young mother, living in Brownsville, Texas with a 3 1/2 y.o, an 18 month old and a 2 month old baby. I turned on the tv so I could watch while I ironed. (We did that back then) As soon as I heard the news I looked out the door. The people in my neighborhood had come out into the street and everyone was talking and crying at the same time. For the next weeks that's all that was on the television and on the collective mind of the country. I remember the description of the police chase while they were looking for someone (Oswald); and as someone mentioned, the shooting of Oswald while the country looked on. The country was in shock. But as bad as it was, there was a peaceful transition of power and the U.S. carried on. In many other countries there would have been riots, revolution and mayhem.

-- Peg (wildwoodfarms@hushmail.com), November 22, 2000.

I was in the third grade, we were doing math, a teacher came in and told our teacher that Kennedy had been killed. We were let out of school for the rest of the day. When we got home the tv was going, very unusual for the middle of the day. It seemed like time stood still for the next week. As an 8 yearold child I still remember what the teachers were wearing, that is how great the impact was on me. When I relate ths to my kids they just dont see what the bg deal was. If that happened now, even tho it would be tragic, I dont think it would have the impact on the country and on every indiviual like it did them. Roxanne

-- Roxanne (hmstdlady@webtv.net), November 22, 2000.

I was 10 years old and at school when the principal made the announcement over the PA that the president had been shot. She was crying. Half the teachers began to cry in the hall, the other half just shook their heads. School was let out and didn't take up again until after Thanksgiving. I remember watching the funeral on TV with my mother, who never, ever watched TV during the day time. My father worked for the post office and was off some of the time, I think for the funeral. I really don't remember. Anyway, what I remember most was the nervousness and even fear in the community. We lived only 100 miles from Dallas, and the adults were afraid we would be put under curfew if not martial law. There was so much conflicting information coming out about the assaination of both Kennedy and Oswald. As for conspiracy theories, there were so many stories coming out in the Dallas newspapers from eyewitnesses that there always seemed to be a conspiracy from the very first few hours. There was conflicting news from Parkland Hospital, conflicting news from the government sources, and the question of why Jack Ruby would shoot (or be able to shoot) Oswald. The prevailing theory was the Ruby shot Oswald to cover up for something for someone.

Gov. Connaly was crippled that day in the shooting. He was shot in the lower back with a shot that didn't have a trajectory that one would expect from a shot fired from the school depository window.

I have never been to the museum in Dallas that commemorates the shooting. I've heard all the stories for 37 years, and frankly Scarlett, I don't give a damn.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), November 22, 2000.

I was eleven and in sixth grade, in a two-room school in northern Wisconsin. Our teacher was the principal as well. The school didn't even have a phone -- I think maybe the janitor/handyman heard it and came to tell Mrs. Lawrence. I remember we had a period of silence to pray for the President (we had only heard that he was shot, not yet that he had died). Shortly thereafter we were told that he had died. Maybe we prayed again.

The rest of the day is quite blank, but I think we stayed in school. There was no way to organize getting the "buses" (actually, two station wagons) there ahead of time. I know we heard in the afternoon, and we may have had a delay in hearing the news in our tiny town. I remember walking home in kind of a daze, not really knowing what it meant that the President had been murdered, or what would happen now.

I also remember watching TV that afternoon, but have no clear recollection of anything I saw. I know we also watched the funeral but only remember horses pulling the hearse and seeing his children.

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), November 22, 2000.

I was 2 years old. I don't remember that. My first major tv memory was the day the astronauts landed on the moon.

-- Bonnie (josabo1@juno.com), November 22, 2000.

I was a senior in high school. The principal came over the PC system to announce President Kennedy had been shot. School continued for the rest of the day, but no real class work was done from what I heard (I had work/study in the afternoon so went home to watch TV). On the way home I saw a crowd in front of the TV store watching. We had a football game scheduled that evening and it was played. There was some type of service at half-time involving the local priest and ministers, but we were in the locker room so don't know exactly how it went. I remember people pretty well being glued to the TV for the next several days.

Your son needs to remember John Kennedy was one of the most popular presidents, being young and enthusiastic - Jackie, Camalot and all that. It was like a death in the family. During the funeral procession, when John John saluted, I happened to look at my father and saw him crying. First and last time I saw that. Probably not until Reagan would another president have that impact.

With the little respect most people have for the current president I can see where your son would question its importance.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), November 23, 2000.

I was 5, and a first-grader. I remember an announcement over the loudspeaker, and everyone was sent home. I don't remember anything else. (20 years later, I served Jackie a bagel at a deli in Oldwick, NJ-that I remember!!!)

-- Cathy Horn (hrnofplnty@webtv.net), November 23, 2000.

Thanks to everyone for the help with this history lesson. It made our study a lot easier. He couldn't believe that an event could have such an impact and this was a good way to show him how our country has changed. Maybe someday we will once again have a president that can bring that kind of respect to the office. Its sad how 8 short years can so destroy an American institution.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 23, 2000.

Not yet in amniotic fluid.

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@excite.com), November 23, 2000.

I was sweeping the floor in a factory when I heard of the assassination from second shift workers who were coming to work. It was a shocking time for all.

It is interesting for me to remember that that year working as a janitor in a factory that I paid out the maximum social security (contribution witheld from my paycheck). I have no doubt that I will not pay out social security this year. If I remember right a new full sized Ford LTD cost about $5,900. Times have changed.

-- Ed Copp (OH) (edcopp@yahoo.com), November 23, 2000.

Ed, I recently found the receipt for the 1963 Chevy Belair my parents bought new. It cost $2800, plus tax, which was a lot less than now. I don't remember what it was and I put the receipt up for safe keeping as a curiousity.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), November 23, 2000.

I was happily kicking about in the warmth and safety of my birth mothers womb; but my father was celebrating his 29th birthday. For us; his birthday is synonymous (sp?) with the day JFK was assasinated.

-- Beth Weber (talmidim88@hotmail.com), November 23, 2000.

I was in Nursing School taking a final exam. When I came out of the room where we were taking the exam, my instructor, and a bunch of Doctors were all standing around crying and watch the television that was in the waiting room. Walter Cronkite was on and was announcing that the President had died. They had not wanted to interfere with us taking our exam, so had not told us what was going on. For me it was the beginning of a long period of disappointment in what was happening in my country. Before that I was alway confident that the right thing would happen and the good guys would win in the end. I have often wondered what it would have been like if that had not happened. Was he really thinking of pulling out of Vietnam? Would the 60's had been different? It changed my life and how I looked at things.

-- Diane Green (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), November 23, 2000.

I was four years old and home with my mom, I saw her crying and knew that something was wrong when she told me I threw myself on the couch very theatrically and started crying I didnt understand and thought it was the right thing to do I was promptly spanked. Ronda

-- ronda (thejohnsons@localaccess.com), November 23, 2000.

I was in High school & when the bell rang & home Ec. class was dismissed I walked into the hall way & a friend Mary, told me the president had been shot --I thought it was a joke! School was dismissed early that day--& I remember sitting in front of the T.V. for several days watching the funeral march, & all the news reports. We lived on a farm & the only thing I remember doing for several days was the chores, it was the only thing that was "normal" in our lives for those few days! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), November 23, 2000.

I was 8 years old. I was sitting at my desk, the last one in the first row at the back in what we called the Little Room at school (grades 1-4 were in there, about 20 kids and one teacher) when the other teacher came in to tell us that President Kennedy had been shot and killed. She was crying. Most of us were too young to really understand what was happening, but I do remember that that was probably the first time I ever experienced true shock. They did get the station wagon 'buses' there early and sent everyone home (we walked a half block home).

I remember sitting glued to the television through the next few days, and that was the first time that I ever wrote a condolence letter -- to Jackie Kennedy. I still have the thank you card that was sent in response. I remember thinking that the world was ending and crying a lot.

I think that it is so emblazoned in people's minds because it was most likely (hopefully!!) what would be their first brush with murder -- it made it a personal thing, rather than some distant event. It was also a landmark in teaching a whole generation just what one act of hatred could do to an entire country, if not the world. The only event that I can think of that eclipses this memory for me is the day that my father suffered a stroke that ultimately killed him, and trying to get help (I was the only one home and just out of the hospital myself). The feelings were very similar .

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), November 24, 2000.

I was six and unhappy that Captain Kangaroo wasn't on tv. I do recall that feeling that something important had happened but had no understanding of it.

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), November 24, 2000.

I was 9 years old, at Lincoln Elementary School in Eagle Grove, Iowa. They sent us home to be with our families but did not elaborate. After months of "end of the world" drills we could only speculate that Russia had launched the bomb on us.

I remember the looks of horror on our teachers as they helped us along. I remember the confusion of my mother as she attempted to cook. I remember the words--John F. Kennedy has died. I remember many of his speeches-word for word !

In my lifetime he is the only president I ever knew. A dominent world leader,aman of vision, a hero, a loving parent, and a man who commanded respect with his mere appearance. He was what we needed at the time we needed it the most and I have not seen those qualites in any politician since him. I miss John F. Kennedy !

I often visit Arlington Cemetary, in fact, I use every opportunity to go there. It is Robert E. Lee's family homestead, and the final resting place of John and Bobby Kennedy. I guess I'm searching for the spirit of the men I admired with heart and soul. I am saddened to hear that is only briefly covered in history when for me it is the story of my lifetime. Th whole truth is yet to be revealed of this man of greatness that was struck down. Please encourage the children to study him more.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), November 24, 2000.

Jay, maybe the important lesson here is the fact that, almost forty years later, John Kennedy's life and death still have the ability to bring out such strong emotions and memories in people. And yes, compare that to the presumed reaction to a similar event today, with the current occupant of the Oval Office. It's fair to say that Kennedy's death absolutely changed the course of history. Who can say what would have happened had the shooter(s) missed? Would we have faced the moral crisis of Vietnam, the aimless, drug-oriented, generational wanderings of the 1960s and early 70s, the national disillusionment of Watergate? For me, that day in Dallas is the ultimate what-if.

As for me, I was in seventh grade, confused and amazed at the reaction of the people around me, stunned by the event without realizing why until ten years later.

-- Cash (cash@andcarry.com), November 25, 2000.

Well, I wasn't who I am today so when I find someone to tell me about my past lives I will let you know

(HEY- this sure is a sneaky way to find out how old everyone is!!!)

-- kelly (kellytree@hotmail.com), November 25, 2000.

well Kelly either was I ,not even a thought yet. by the way I am 33.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), November 25, 2000.

I wasn't around yet either , but seems like I was as the subject was talked about so often for so long .

-- Patty (fodfarms@slic.com), November 26, 2000.

Well, since JFK was asassinated about a month before I was born that puts me in the Amniotic Club. However, as I got older I understood that something traumatic and important had happened the year I was born and I would proudly (and in ignorance) tell people that I was "born the year Kennedy was shot". As I got even older I understood that wasn't the best thing to be bragging about. But it is true that our country has really changed. I cannot imagine most of the people I know grieving terribly much over a shot president. At least not the currently in office or his VP presidential wannabe.

-- Heather (heathergorden@hotmail.com), November 27, 2000.

I was a junior in high school sitting in history class. The announcment was made over the PA and school was let out. The school halls were quiet except for the sobbing from boys and girls alike. At home the TV was center stage. Two vivid impressions were burned in my memory. The first was the day of the funeral when JFK's casket was carried from the capitol rotunda and placed on the gun cassion. A young sailor in dress blues standing behind the cassion carrying the presidential flag rendered a snappy military salute. Everyone in our living room stood while the casket was fastened to the cassion and the march started to the cemetary. The second impression was the muffled drum cadence. Whenever I think of that day, it is the drums beating out their precise but monotonus beat, step by step, mile by mile that brought home the power, majesty and horror of that incredible event.

Craig

-- Craig Miller (CMiller@ssd.com), November 27, 2000.

I was 6 days old when it happened. My mom was in the kitchen fixing a bottle for me when the news came on the radio. My dad was working on the assembly line at Ford, and I think that he got sent home early. They saved all the newspaper articles about the shooting and the funeral and put them in a scrapbook for me so I'd be able to read about it when I got older.

-- Sherri C (CeltiaSkye@aol.com), November 27, 2000.

I am finding this completely fascinating, particularly from certain individuals, that all these warm accolades are directed toward a president who was a known philanderer. Do you really believe that were John Kennedy to be so unfortunate as to be around in a time when sanctimonious and venemous judges were chomping at the bit, and he was asked about his sexual escapades, that he would have admitted it, under oath or not?? But that was when we respected each other's privacy, knew what issues were important, and perhaps treated our elected officials (and our fellow citizens) with courtesy and respect, whether we agreed with them or not.

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), November 27, 2000.

Dear Earthmama, I liked your response to Jay's question of where were you on the 22nd of Nov. It scares me on how much we as a society have degraded and where will it end. Jordan

-- Jordan L Stern (jordanls@home.com), November 29, 2000.

Kennedy was also a liberal, a northerner, and a Catholic, to boot. Plenty of people would find reasons to hate him for any of those reasons these days. Agree with the above posts that we have lost so much in the way or respecting each others differences. Sad.

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), November 29, 2000.