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 I love Documentaries, last night I watched on good old NetFlix, About John F. Kennedy, and his tragic assassination on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, TX.  My mom said she remembers what she was doing when she heard. Do any of you remember how you found out? What you were doing? What was your perspective on it all, at the time? Was the country sad for quite awhile? I would like to hear your experience, on the tragedy. If you do not mind will you tell me your story of that day.


                                                  Thanks a bunch

Unfornately, I was three and a half and likely had just peed in my pants.  But I do sort of remember everybody being glued to the TV and I sort of remember bits and pieces - unless I am really remembering documentaries more than real time.

Quote from: zoonance on Sun Aug 16, 2009 - 12:22:39
Unfornately, I was three and a half and likely had just peed in my pants.  But I do sort of remember everybody being glued to the TV and I sort of remember bits and pieces - unless I am really remembering documentaries more than real time.

Wow so you remember some? ( unless false memories), that is impressive for three and one half. Zoo, hopefully you were potty trained by that time (LOL) Thanks for sharing though really.

                 Blessings LSO

Quote from: lightshineon on Sun Aug 16, 2009 - 15:58:21

Quote from: zoonance on Sun Aug 16, 2009 - 12:22:39
Unfornately, I was three and a half and likely had just peed in my pants.  But I do sort of remember everybody being glued to the TV and I sort of remember bits and pieces - unless I am really remembering documentaries more than real time.

Wow so you remember some? ( unless false memories), that is impressive for three and one half. Zoo, hopefully you were potty trained by that time (LOL) Thanks for sharing though really.

                 Blessings LSO

Maybe I was potty trained.  I really don't remember obviously.  But, I do recall some stuff and I believe it is real time.  Not enough to write a book - on the assination or potty training your kid by 3.5 years old.

Quote from: zoonance on Sun Aug 16, 2009 - 17:12:17

Quote from: lightshineon on Sun Aug 16, 2009 - 15:58:21

Quote from: zoonance on Sun Aug 16, 2009 - 12:22:39
Unfornately, I was three and a half and likely had just peed in my pants.  But I do sort of remember everybody being glued to the TV and I sort of remember bits and pieces - unless I am really remembering documentaries more than real time.

Wow so you remember some? ( unless false memories), that is impressive for three and one half. Zoo, hopefully you were potty trained by that time (LOL) Thanks for sharing though really.

                 Blessings LSO

Maybe I was potty trained.  I really don't remember obviously.  But, I do recall some stuff and I believe it is real time.  Not enough to write a book - on the assination or potty training your kid by 3.5 years old.

Well, I cannot remember much of early childhood, bits and pecies, like getting spanked in Sundayschool, well deserved.

I was in elementary school, and I remember the principal making the announcement about Kennedy's assassination to all the classes. I remember that my teacher cried.

My school was in a suburb just north of Dallas, and I remember a lot of questioning and fear the next few days or so.

Quote from: mike on Sun Aug 16, 2009 - 20:07:54
I was in elementary school, and I remember the principal making the announcement about Kennedy's assassination to all the classes. I remember that my teacher cried.

My school was in a suburb just north of Dallas, and I remember a lot of questioning and fear the next few days or so.

Thank you Mike. What was the fear about? Was it feeling vaunerable?

Right. I was just a kid, so much of my understanding was in retrospect. I think that there was a feeling that society had destabilized, and who knew what would happen next? Was it a pretext to a new war? Who was responsible? Who was in control?

Quote from: mike on Sun Aug 16, 2009 - 22:14:30
Right. I was just a kid, so much of my understanding was in retrospect. I think that there was a feeling that society had destabilized, and who knew what would happen next? Was it a pretext to a new war? Who was responsible? Who was in control?

I can see how that must have been the feeling, especially for a child. Thanks for that insight. I know this is a different type of topic, but, watching the documentary, everyone was crying, and so shaken to the core. The people in Dallas seemed like they even suffered guilt, for some reason. The Kennedy's seemed like movie stars, in the footage. I want to go to the book depository in Dallas. It is a three hour trip. My husband went, I had a new born at the time and did not go.

From what I can recall, it was a weird day.

I was in my final year of high school, and we were on the assassination of Lincoln in our morning American History class.  Part of the strangeness was that old-lady SS teacher was going into much further than usual sharing her thoughts on the typical profile of assassins.  [Later, I would find out that another AM class was coming onto the assassination of Garfield, and she had given a similar tirade on that occasion also.]

During our noon gym class, there were murmurs about the President being murdered, but some of us thought it was just rumors generated from some discussion of our history class; soon after, we were told to return to homeroom, where we officially told of the assassination by our principal, and we were sent home early.

Part of the weirdness is that I don't recall feeling any sorrow. 

I mean, sure, it was tragic that he had left a wife and children, but perhaps it was their celebrity that not only made them larger than life, it also their lives not quite as "real" as those of our friends and family.  There were some in our class, mostly girls, Catholics and Democrats, who had become distraught, but most of my friends and I watched events unfold as if watching a Shakespearean tragedy, or, better yet, a pulp fiction novel with aspirations.

The JFK clan and the LBJ clan didn't get along; LBJ brings JFK home to Texas, and JFK gets killed.

LBJ takes over, and then, under the custody of Dallas's finest, the "Lone Assassin" gets killed.

We were well aware of the Billy Sol Estes scandal, so we suspected that LBJ had the ambition and lack of scruples to have the dirty deed carried out.  In fact, by the time the Walter Jenkins affair broke loose a year later, we had pretty much solidified our opinion of LBJ.

Quote from: normfromga on Mon Aug 17, 2009 - 12:23:06
From what I can recall, it was a weird day.

I was in my final year of high school, and we were on the assassination of Lincoln in our morning American History class.  Part of the strangeness was that old-lady SS teacher was going into much further than usual sharing her thoughts on the typical profile of assassins.  [Later, I would find out that another AM class was coming onto the assassination of Garfield, and she had given a similar tirade on that occasion also.]

During our noon gym class, there were murmurs about the President being murdered, but some of us thought it was just rumors generated from some discussion of our history class; soon after, we were told to return to homeroom, where we officially told of the assassination by our principal, and we were sent home early.

Part of the weirdness is that I don't recall feeling any sorrow. 

I mean, sure, it was tragic that he had left a wife and children, but perhaps it was their celebrity that not only made them larger than life, it also their lives not quite as "real" as those of our friends and family.  There were some in our class, mostly girls, Catholics and Democrats, who had become distraught, but most of my friends and I watched events unfold as if watching a Shakespearean tragedy, or, better yet, a pulp fiction novel with aspirations.

The JFK clan and the LBJ clan didn't get along; LBJ brings JFK home to Texas, and JFK gets killed.

LBJ takes over, and then, under the custody of Dallas's finest, the "Lone Assassin" gets killed.

We were well aware of the Billy Sol Estes scandal, so we suspected that LBJ had the ambition and lack of scruples to have the dirty deed carried out.  In fact, by the time the Walter Jenkins affair broke loose a year later, we had pretty much solidified our opinion of LBJ.

Norm, thanks for sharing. You story is really amazing.  WOW, just kind of like a series of weird events at school, and it was in depth, you all thought it was a rumor. I always thought LBJ, was not a good man, and in my conspiracy theory mind thought he had a hand in it. I heard his ex-mistress, the number of his born out of wedlock son ( who died of cancer) The ex-mistress, a very nice looking older woman, tell a Geraldo, that LBJ, told her to keep away from that area downtown Dallas. I guess she lived in the area. Supposedly her told her that something big was going down. It is different to hear of someone not crying and not feeling sad, only because the film footage, shows so many people including news men crying. I would have probably seen the Kennedy's in the same light as you. Larger than life, so different from me. I do feel great sorrow watching Jackie, in her bloody, brain tissue outfit, looking shellshocked as, LBJ was sworn in.

                Thanks again Norm, going to tell husband your story.

That was about a dozen years before I was born, so I can't you on memories.

By the way, when Paul Harvey died earlier this year, they replayed his broadcast from November 22, 1963 on the radio.  It was fascinating to listen to... just like it was going on live.  He basically gave the recount of events and the facts as they were known that evening after the assassination.

Quote from: DCR on Wed Aug 19, 2009 - 07:39:24
That was about a dozen years before I was born, so I can't you on memories.

By the way, when Paul Harvey died earlier this year, they replayed his broadcast from November 22, 1963 on the radio.  It was fascinating to listen to... just like it was going on live.  He basically gave the recount of events and the facts as they were known that evening after the assassination.

Thanks for Paul Harvey info. 

As a Canadian, I recall very vividly the events that unfolded on Nov. 22, 1963.
I was in my high school French class and suddenly the teacher's explanation of a particular grammatical point was interrupted by the school's public address system. It began transmitting without any introduction by the principal a live radio broadcast that turned out to be coming from a Seattle station 120 miles away.

Because we were hearing the live broadcast somewhere " in the middle, " it wasn't exactly clear what was happening, although there were reporters relaying information about shots fired at the Presdents motorcade in Dallas. It took perhaps another three or four minutes before it was clear that the President had been hit, though the seriousness of his wounds were not related. I can recall that the shock of this report left most stunned and speechless. The consensus among the class was the President would be given the very best medical attention possible and he would likely be all right. When it was announced that Kennedy had died of his wounds, we couldn't believe it. Though we had not lost our national leader, there were some who shed tears.

Finally the school principal came on the PA system and announced that in view of the tragic events, the school would suspend afternoon classes. That was only the second time in my entire schooling that I can recall being given the afternoon off. The other time occurred three years earlier when Field Marshal Montgomery of Alamein visited our school.

canuck

 Thanks Canuk, I did not realize it impacted other countries. Now that is intersting. Kennedy must have been well liked world wide. They let you out of school too? Interesting that the only Kennedy son to die of natural causes died today.

Quote from: lightshineon on Wed Aug 26, 2009 - 17:05:06
Thanks Canuk, I did not realize it impacted other countries. Now that is intersting. Kennedy must have been well liked world wide. They let you out of school too? Interesting that the only Kennedy son to die of natural causes died today.

perhaps alcohol pickles the body more than we realized.

Quote from: zoonance on Wed Aug 26, 2009 - 17:24:29

Quote from: lightshineon on Wed Aug 26, 2009 - 17:05:06
Thanks Canuk, I did not realize it impacted other countries. Now that is intersting. Kennedy must have been well liked world wide. They let you out of school too? Interesting that the only Kennedy son to die of natural causes died today.

perhaps alcohol pickles the body more than we realized.

Zoo, now, now.  I am so grateful Canuk shared with me.

I was in the 9th grade.  My English teacher was crying when she came into the class room and told us the news.  The rest of the day we listened to radio and watched TV.  It was something that put the whole nation in a state of shock.

Quote from: Johnb on Sun Aug 30, 2009 - 19:25:38
I was in the 9th grade.  My English teacher was crying when she came into the class room and told us the news.  The rest of the day we listened to radio and watched TV.  It was something that put the whole nation in a state of shock.

It really must have been awful. I guess seeing it on TV, made it more devastating to the people than Lincons assignation. I do not know, because no one to ask about Lincons assignation. Thanks for Sharing John.

I've never come to this History section before.

Do I remember when finding out about JFK.

I think we all do, that were around then --I found out in a terrible way...I was in the hallway at school alone, when Becky Caldwell came happily running upstairs and told me with glee. 

I was in such shock and confusion that anyone would be smiling and clapping about something so horrible ---it was so hard... the disillusionment with people - in the assassin and a fellow 6th grader.
That she could actually have absorbed her parents (Republican) hatred towards a man, whether politician or not ---we didn't exchange hatred in my house.

My parents didn't teach us to hate so much that we would be joyous when someone -anyone got shot in the head....  I was horrified seeing someone clap in glee at this...stunned...and speechless...still.

Quote from: Elaine on Sat Sep 05, 2009 - 15:32:35
I've never come to this History section before.

Do I remember when finding out about JFK.

I think we all do, that were around then --I found out in a terrible way...I was in the hallway at school alone, when Becky Caldwell came happily running upstairs and told me with glee. 

I was in such shock and confusion that anyone would be smiling and clapping about something so horrible ---it was so hard... the disillusionment with people - in the assassin and a fellow 6th grader.

Wow, that was wicked of Becky. I thought everyone cried, except Norm, I have seen footage and everyone seemed so shocked, and devastated.
That she could actually have absorbed her parents (Republican) hatred towards a man, whether politician or not ---we didn't exchange hatred in my house.

My parents didn't teach us to hate so much that we would be joyous when someone -anyone got shot in the head....  I was horrified seeing someone clap in glee at this...stunned...and speechless...still.

Except Norm?  LOL

??

     I remember very clearly.  I was in my thirties.  Not all the nation cried.  I was not political at that time of my life.  I did think it was a sad thing.  I recall going to a doctor for a physical examination for life insurance.  The examining doctor was beside himself with glee.  He was saying over and over ,"They finally got him."  I had not heard the news yet and I did not know who he was refering to.I learned what had happened about an houe after leaving the doctor's office.

Quote from: walker starr on Sun Sep 06, 2009 - 11:52:41


     I remember very clearly.  I was in my thirties.  Not all the nation cried.  I was not political at that time of my life.  I did think it was a sad thing.  I recall going to a doctor for a physical examination for life insurance.  The examining doctor was beside himself with glee.  He was saying over and over ,"They finally got him."  I had not heard the news yet and I did not know who he was refering to.I learned what had happened about an houe after leaving the doctor's office.

Goodness walker, how sad, why? Kennedy did not seem bad, I do not know was not there, but, wow, even could not fake a tiny tear ( The doctor). Thanks for your story. BTW, did you think the Dr. was nutty,and were you scared of him and his scalpel?

I was in the second grade...  an announcement was made, and everyone was in shock.  They sent us home from school immediately. 

Quote from: kensington on Wed Sep 09, 2009 - 03:16:51
I was in the second grade...  an announcement was made, and everyone was in shock.  They sent us home from school immediately. 

Really, are you in the UK? Thanks for sharing Kensington. This is do interesting to me for some reason.

I was in the 4th grade and it was announced by our principal over the loud speaker. I remember getting off the school bus at our farm house and my mother was glued to the TV. My dad came in later after a day on the tractor and came through the back door and saw what was going on, and he said, "That blankety blank Lyndon Johnson!" And turned and walked to the bathroom to wash up for supper. (Dinner to ya'll city folk). We always called the noon meal dinner.

Quote from: Jaime on Sat Sep 26, 2009 - 16:56:34
I was in the 4th grade and it was announced by our principal over the loud speaker. I remember getting off the school bus at our farm house and my mother was glued to the TV. My dad came in later after a day on the tractor and came through the back door and saw what was going on, and he said, "That blankety blank Lyndon Johnson!" And turned and walked to the bathroom to wash up for supper. (Dinner to ya'll city folk). We always called the noon meal dinner.

Very similar to my scene - school bus, tractor, even dinner for lunch, I thought it was an English thing - I thought it came from my English Grandma ---maybe it was just a country thing.
Not enough kids are raised in the country anymore, imo...with fresh vegetables from the garden....
Oh, this is about Pres. Kennedy, sorry....

My dad feared the Kennedy being a Catholic thing, and the Pope being really in charge of the US. But his real concern was with Lyndon Johnson. He felt Johnson was a for real slime ball capable of involvement in Kennedy's demise.

Oh there's one of the conspiracy theories which says that.

There was a feud between Yarborough and Connally in the TX Dems. Johnson was supposed to be knocking heads together.

Quote from: Jaime on Sun Sep 27, 2009 - 21:42:28
My dad feared the Kennedy being a Catholic thing, and the Pope being really in charge of the US. But his real concern was with Lyndon Johnson. He felt Johnson was a for real slime ball capable of involvement in Kennedy's demise.

Dear Okie, I have no idea of feeling one way or the other concerning President Kennedy other than what the news reported. He was a new thing in our nation being Catholic, and Catholics were very adamant in their frustration and sorrow. I will agree with Canuck in that the news reports of President Kennedy being shot did not reveal the seriousness of the matter.

One Catholic man was mad at me for showing no real heartfelt emotion over the events, and when it was confirmed that he had died, he made the comment: are you happy now? And I was Catholic at the time.

I guess it had something to do with my attitude of rebellion against authority at the time, and then the news we heard on TV prior to his death was very negative against him in many respects. I truthfully do not remember that much sorrow among all I knew at the time over his death, other than it being in the news every day for awhile.

Now as far as a nation crying for a president, that seemed more applicable to Franklin D. Roosevelt to my memory. I was six years old at the time and when news of his death came, we didn't have electricity and had to go to a neighbor about a mile and a half away to hear of it on the radio. I can remember my mother crying about it and the concern of others there listening.

In Jesus' name.

Texans realized just how ruthless Johnson could be. Hence my dad's response to the events of November 22nd 1963.

Quote from: Jaime on Tue Sep 29, 2009 - 13:01:54
Texans realized just how ruthless Johnson could be. Hence my dad's response to the events of November 22nd 1963.

Yes, I do not know myself, but have seen clips.

I was in grade 2 in school in Vancouver.

I remember it vividly as it was one of the moments that appears to have shaped my life. I was too young to know or understand North American politics, but it was the first time that I'd experienced a sense of loss. At the same instance, a sense of "mobilization", like I'd been "called up for something".I had and still have the unmistakeable feeling that my life course had somehow changed.

I was in grade 2.....I still carry the memory and in subsequent years, have to say this event did in fact shape my life to some degree.

Quote from: lightshineon on Sun Aug 16, 2009 - 11:39:56
I love Documentaries, last night I watched on good old NetFlix, About John F. Kennedy, and his tragic assassination on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, TX.  My mom said she remembers what she was doing when she heard. Do any of you remember how you found out? What you were doing? What was your perspective on it all, at the time? Was the country sad for quite awhile? I would like to hear your experience, on the tragedy. If you do not mind will you tell me your story of that day.


                                                  Thanks a bunch

The day Kennedy was shot, I was at school. I was in the 9th grade at the time, and the teachers came and told us that school was closing for the rest of the day because the President had been shot in a motorcade in Texas. So I went home and turned the TV on and watched the news. I can vividly remember being very sad and even crying while watching the events unfold, and then being told that President Kennedy had died. It was a sad day in U.S. history. Kennedy seemed to be a very likeable person, and as someone who spoke with conviction and seemed to pull the nation together. One of his sayings I remember most was; "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."