Post by Taxigirl on Nov 2, 2003 11:21:37 GMT
Where were you when Kennedy was shot?
Thousands of people had turned out on a sunny autumn day to cheer their President on his visit to Dallas, Texas.
But 22 November 1963 was destined to become one of the most infamous days in modern history, when two bullets from an assassin's rifle hit President John F Kennedy in the head and throat. He died 35 minutes later.
The prime suspect was 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald, who was arrested within hours of the shooting, but was himself murdered two days later.
Since then almost every aspect of the assassination has been disputed - it is not even clear how many shots were fired - but there is one thing most people are certain of; where they were when they heard the President was dead.
Where were you when you heard the news? How did you feel?
Stories so far:-
I was a second grade student in a Roman Catholic Elementary School. I remember vividly the announcement coming across the intercom system and the teacher running out of the room crying. I did not fully understand the situation until years later when President Kennedy's brother, Robert, was shot and killed in LA in 1968.
Michael D. Hill
I was nine living in Hertfordshire and remember my children's television programme being interrupted for the news - the first time I'd seen such a news break. At that point it was: "He has been shot".
It was choir practice night, so off I went. The men arrived for the last half-hour of the boys' practice. One of the adults arriving said "He's dead", and we knew what he meant.
Chris Ambidge, Toronto, Canada
I was 17 years old and in Junior College in Azusa California. The news was announced over the loudspeakers. All classes stopped and people gathered in the college square, listening to the announcement.
All the women and many of the men were weeping. We could not believe that the man who inspired us was gone. When I got home to my mother, we just watched TV, wept and prayed.
Kennedy was an inspiration to a generation. Despite his faults, he was the most charismatic leader. He called and we wanted to answer. No wonder they killed him!
Michelle Edwin, England
I was looking at the television when it came on, it was dreadful as we were told that the president had been shot in the head as his wife fell across him to protect him ... I remember because I was expecting my first child and the tears ran down my face.
I can still see Jackie Kennedy's face as she cradled her husbands head in her hands not caring about herself but trying to protect her husband, there was blood everywhere with security people running everywhere not knowing what or where to look and feeling totally useless.
Jayne Foster, UK
Thousands of people had turned out on a sunny autumn day to cheer their President on his visit to Dallas, Texas.
But 22 November 1963 was destined to become one of the most infamous days in modern history, when two bullets from an assassin's rifle hit President John F Kennedy in the head and throat. He died 35 minutes later.
The prime suspect was 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald, who was arrested within hours of the shooting, but was himself murdered two days later.
Since then almost every aspect of the assassination has been disputed - it is not even clear how many shots were fired - but there is one thing most people are certain of; where they were when they heard the President was dead.
Where were you when you heard the news? How did you feel?
Stories so far:-
I was a second grade student in a Roman Catholic Elementary School. I remember vividly the announcement coming across the intercom system and the teacher running out of the room crying. I did not fully understand the situation until years later when President Kennedy's brother, Robert, was shot and killed in LA in 1968.
Michael D. Hill
I was nine living in Hertfordshire and remember my children's television programme being interrupted for the news - the first time I'd seen such a news break. At that point it was: "He has been shot".
It was choir practice night, so off I went. The men arrived for the last half-hour of the boys' practice. One of the adults arriving said "He's dead", and we knew what he meant.
Chris Ambidge, Toronto, Canada
I was 17 years old and in Junior College in Azusa California. The news was announced over the loudspeakers. All classes stopped and people gathered in the college square, listening to the announcement.
All the women and many of the men were weeping. We could not believe that the man who inspired us was gone. When I got home to my mother, we just watched TV, wept and prayed.
Kennedy was an inspiration to a generation. Despite his faults, he was the most charismatic leader. He called and we wanted to answer. No wonder they killed him!
Michelle Edwin, England
I was looking at the television when it came on, it was dreadful as we were told that the president had been shot in the head as his wife fell across him to protect him ... I remember because I was expecting my first child and the tears ran down my face.
I can still see Jackie Kennedy's face as she cradled her husbands head in her hands not caring about herself but trying to protect her husband, there was blood everywhere with security people running everywhere not knowing what or where to look and feeling totally useless.
Jayne Foster, UK