November 22, 1963 is one of those dates ingrained in our memory, if we were alive and aware of the world around us at the time.
On Thursday, the 21st, we had a good idea where we were headed, individually and collectively. By that sunny Friday afternoon, we didn’t. The days to follow brought more death, fear, confusion and questions. By the Thanksgiving dinner on the following Thursday, I just remember being thankful to be alive.
Do you remember where you were? Do you recall what you felt that day and throughout the next week? Did the assassination and subsequent events propel you to action or change your mind about your plans for the future?
Now, 46 years later, what is the legacy of that historic date?
Please share your memories and thoughts with us. Hit Comments in the right corner of this post, and join the conversation.
Comments
Joan from NJ
11/27/2009 15:46
I was eating lunch in the Cafeteria at then Paterson State College. I recall another student walking by our table in what appeared to be a daze and said, "the President was shot." The students at PSC were in a dispute with the college president at that time, so my first instinct was that it was the college president. I remember asking..."President Shea?" When she said "NO"...KENNEDY!" Everything became a blur. My friend and I got up from the table and ran. I don't think we even knew where we were running. We got outside and students were around transister radios. Then the awful news that Kennendy was dead! After that I just recall feeling like I had swallowed a brick. The feeling lasted far past the FOUR DAYS. It was also the very first time, I questioned my government. And, since my trust has continued to wane, I am sorry to say.
reporter, writer, wife, mother, stepmother, grandmother, photographer, singer, knitter, swimmer -- not all at the same time songbird@birdsonawireblog.com
