Where were you?
Posted on: November 23, 2021
- In: Events | History | Memories
- 52 Comments
I posted this last year and feel it is worth running again. A sad day that affected many of us.
One question often asked of those of us who were around at the time is, “Where were you when you heard that President John F Kennedy had been shot?” I remember the day clearly even though it happened fifty-seven years ago.
I’d like to share with you a poem a poet friend of mine wrote.
22/11/63
A shot rang out across the years
embedded itself in a nation’s fears.
November the month with stains on its soul
history stilled near a green grassy knoll.
The New Camelot was shattered
and everyhing that mattered
suddenly not an issue
as fragile as brain tissue.
poem by John McGilvary
It was a sad day indeed. I remember it was recess time at school and one of the boys said that Kennedy had been shot. I said that it wasn’t funny and he shouldn’t…
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52 Responses to "Where were you?"
November 23, 2021 at 3:06 am
A very sad day. Although I had just turned six years old, I remember the day clearly.
November 23, 2021 at 3:32 am
I was ten when this happened. I remember BBC News that evening on tv. My Dad was sitting in stunned silence, Mum was in tears. My sister and I realised it was something big.
November 23, 2021 at 3:45 am
It really did affect folks from all over the globe.
November 23, 2021 at 3:52 am
And still does. We may not like it, but we have to accept that events in the US have wide-ranging effects.
November 23, 2021 at 3:58 am
As I mentioned on your original post last year, when JFK was shot I was in my last week of basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky. I described it in the second half of this blog post, which is mainly about 9/11.
https://operasandcycling.com/the-afternoon-of-9-11/
November 23, 2021 at 4:07 am
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your memories of that fateful day.
November 23, 2021 at 4:19 am
It is clearly etched in my memory. The TV was on and my first two children were playing nearby – too young to understand at three years old and one. They did wonder though, why their Mummy was crying. A tragic, unforgettable day.
November 23, 2021 at 4:40 am
Hi Darlene, I remember this post. A touching message.
November 23, 2021 at 8:16 am
I was walking across the college campus, heading to lunch and choir. The news was a shock.
November 23, 2021 at 8:20 am
I’m sure it was. Even more so for those living in the United States.
November 23, 2021 at 9:58 am
I had yet to be born, but my mother cried for the deaths of only two famous people: JFK and Elvis.
November 23, 2021 at 10:55 am
I too remember the moment I saw it on TV back in Switzerland. And, of course, like many people, I didn’t want to believe it.
November 23, 2021 at 2:35 pm
I hadn’t turned 5 yet, but I knew from the tears in the house that something sad had happened.
November 24, 2021 at 2:08 am
I was 12 and sitting in 7th grade history when we got word. I think everyone was in shock. And, it was the biggest event in my young life.
I also remember the day, because 39 yrs ago I was run down on the street by a drunk/drugged driver. Nearly took my life. But I turned that memory into something good.
November 24, 2021 at 2:17 am
Oh my! That indeed is a memorable date for you. Glad you were able to turn the memory around. xo
November 25, 2021 at 4:22 am
JFK was before my time. I didn’t understand how a whole nation could be in pain pain until 9/11 happened. Now I understand.
November 25, 2021 at 4:27 am
Until you’ve experienced a global tragedy, it’s hard to understand. Thanks for commenting, Priscilla.
November 25, 2021 at 7:52 am
I remember it well. Walking down the grand staircase at Eastwood High School 16 years old, announcement over the speakers, school closed. I cannot imagine another event causing such reaction in a Canadian High School. We actually closed our schools.
November 25, 2021 at 7:57 am
It really was something, even in Canada. Imagine how the kids in the US felt. It must have been quite scary for them.
November 25, 2021 at 8:10 am
Surprisingly it came as a shock when decades later I made a comment to my then teenage sons about how every one remembers what they were doin when JFK died sand they said, ‘Who is JFK?’
November 25, 2021 at 8:48 am
Thank you so much for sharing your post at our Senior Salon Pit Stop.
Pinned to Senior Salon Pit Stop InLinkz Linkup Shares board and tweeted @EsmeSalon #SeniorSalonPitStop
November 26, 2021 at 3:29 am
Yes, a very sad day. I remember exactly where I was and the moment in time.
November 26, 2021 at 4:33 am
Hi. Darlene. One of those dates we will never forget. I was living in Scotland at the time and I remember my two little children playing around my feet as I Island and heard the news.
November 27, 2021 at 3:45 am
I was not much of a Kennedy fan but when the funeral procession was aired and little John John saluted his father’s casket as the horses pulled the carriage I broke down and cried. I still have several newspapers I saved from that day.
November 27, 2021 at 3:55 am
That scene was incredibly moving. It wasn’t so much that John F Kennedy was shot, it was more that the President of the USA was shot. Unbelievable. It wasn’t until about ten years ago that I knew which political party he represented.
November 29, 2021 at 2:08 am
I was only four, Darlene, but I remember the funeral on our old black and white TV, and I remember that it interfered with cartoons. It must have been intense in my little brain, because it’s one of the few memories I have from that age. Thanks for sharing the beautiful poem.
November 29, 2021 at 3:06 am
I´m glad you liked the poem. I think even as a small child it would affect you as the adults around you would be upset.
November 29, 2021 at 3:23 am
I think so too, though I don’t remember that part of the experience. 😀
November 30, 2021 at 9:30 am
I was barely 4 years old but I remember. My younger brother and I were watching cartoons when Walter Cronkite busted into the channel with breaking news. 😦
November 30, 2021 at 6:09 pm
It is amazing how the news impacted everyone, even a sweet 4-year-old watching cartoons.
December 1, 2021 at 2:13 am
Dear Darlene,
I remember it pretty well because it was my 17th birthday and I was happy that we had lots of snow. When I heard this news I didn’t believe it. I had read his book ‘Profiles in Courage’ and was taken by it.
Keep well and happy
Klausbernd 🙂
December 1, 2021 at 2:40 am
Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting. You have double reasons to recall this day. Take care.
December 1, 2021 at 6:09 am
A wonderful poem that should be shared every year, Darlene. Thank you.
Darlene Foster's Blog 
November 23, 2021 at 2:59 am
Thanks for calling attention to this historic event here, Darlene. Because of my age, I remember this anniversary very clearly every year, even if I don’t see mention of it in the news. I was in the first year of teaching and an administrator knocked on my classroom door, announcing that our President had been shot. A few minutes later, another knock came with the sad news of his death. Needless to say, classes were suspended for the remainder of the day.
November 23, 2021 at 3:43 am
It must have been very traumatic for anyone living in the US. I guess you would have had to inform your students. A day you will never forget.
December 1, 2021 at 6:08 am
From the other perspective, I was in 6th grade and so upset because it was the first time I saw a teacher cry! An anniversary to never forget. I think it changed American forever.
December 1, 2021 at 8:06 am
I think so too.